Old barberry hedges and bushes are no reason to clear the magnificent ornamental trees. With a professional rejuvenation cut you can breathe new life into your sour thorn bushes. This guide explains when and how to radically prune barberry. This is how it works with gardening expertise.
When and how should you radically cut barberries?
Cutting barberries radically is best done between October 1st and February 28th, on frost-free days. Shorten shoots to a length of 10 cm, leave at least one leaf node and remove dead branches at the base.
Choice of date depends on weather and Federal Nature Conservation Act
The radical pruning of barberries and all other shrubs is calling the legislature into action. When cutting back deeply, protecting breeding birds is the top priority. The Federal Nature Conservation Act therefore stipulates that rejuvenation cuts - known in technical jargon as 'putting on the stick' - are limited to the period from October 1st to February 28th.
The specific choice of date within this time window depends on the weather. Ideally, choose a frost-free day with dry weather without bright sunshine. In gardening practice it has been shown that light frost of -2 degrees Celsius does not affect the result.
Cutting guide for a radical cut – this is how you do it right
Before you devote yourself to rejuvenating your sour thorn bushes, the focus is on protecting your he alth. Berberis species are not only poisonous, but also have thorns that are up to 4 cm long. On some varieties the edges of the leaves are even armed with sharp spines. Therefore, wear thorn-proof clothing, boots, gauntlets and safety glasses. How to radically cut back barberry:
- Short all shoots down to a length of 10 cm
- Choose the cutting depth so that at least one leaf node remains
- Cut dead branches at the base
Barberries also sprout again as old wood if they are given the opportunity to do so in the form of sleeping eyes. These vegetation points can be recognized as slight bumps under or on the bark. If you place the scissors at a short distance over a sleeping eye, the dormant growth energies are activated. It is important to ensure a smooth cut without frayed edges. Therefore, sharpen the scissors in advance with a sharpening stone.
Tip
After radical pruning, training a barberry hedge aims to create a trapezoid shape. With a wide base that tapers towards the top, you create a sun-drenched hedge. As a result, barberries can carry out photosynthesis even close to the ground, so that renewed baldness is impossible.