In her profile you can read that the most beautiful barberries from distant countries found their way into our gardens. Of course, this origin does not mean that the thorny ornamental trees require demanding care. Anyone who follows these 3 care tips will be rewarded with magnificent Berberis bushes in beds and pots.
How do I properly care for my barberry?
Caring for barberries includes regular watering, especially after planting, applying a layer of mulch to regulate moisture and control weeds, starting fertilization in spring and annual pruning to shape and rejuvenate the plant.
Tip 1: Mulching instead of watering and weeding
The barberry care program includes regular watering, primarily in the first 6 to 8 weeks after planting. Once the bushes have established vital roots in the bed, the watering can is primarily used in dry summers. An exception are dwarf barberries in pots, which rely on a supplementary water supply because the limited substrate volume dries out more quickly.
A mulch layer of bark mulch, grass clippings or leaves keeps the soil sufficiently moist. At the same time, as a positive side effect, weeds are effectively suppressed, making annoying weeding under thorny branches unnecessary.
Tip 2: Starting fertilization boosts growth
Awaken the floral spirit of your barberry with starter fertilization in March or April. With an addition of 3 liters of compost and 100 grams of horn shavings per square meter of bed area, you can stimulate growth. Ideally, you fertilize sour thorn in the bucket with a liquid fertilizer that you mix into the irrigation water.
Tip 3: Cutting keeps barberry in top shape
For a well-groomed appearance as a solitary plant or hedge, you should cut your barberries at least once a year. How to do it right:
- The best time is after the flowering period
- Topiary trees and hedges should be cut again in autumn if necessary
- Put on thorn-proof protective clothing including protective goggles
- Cut back branches that protrude from the shape to the desired length
All barberries sprout again from old wood. You can therefore radically cut an old bush in order to rebuild it. The best date for rejuvenation pruning is from October 1st to February 28th, because this time window is prescribed by the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
Tip
You can easily transplant a well-cared for barberry even when it is older. While other types of trees can only cope with the strain of a change of location within the first 5 years of growth, sour thorn bushes tolerate the procedure in every phase of their life.