With its height, the barberry is ideal as a hedge as well as a container plant. Here you can find out how tall the plant grows, what characterizes its growth and how you control it.
What height does the barberry reach?
The height varies depending on the variety. The common barberry (Berberis vulgaris), native to Germany and Europe, can reach aheight of up to 3 meters. If you keep the plant in a pot, it usually doesn't grow quite as tall.
How wide does the barberry grow?
The barberry can grow2, 5 to 3 meters wide. If you give the shrub space and it grows in a suitable location, the common barberry can grow quite wide. Above a certain height, the plant, which is common in Central Europe, is also often used by birds for nesting and offers some insects a protected habitat. By planting a barberry as a hedge, you are also doing something for the environment.
How fast does barberry grow in height?
The barberry grows15 to 20 centimeters per year. If the plant is still quite young, it will grow even faster. This is without a doubt an important advantage if you want to create a hedge with the barberry plant. There are both deciduous and evergreen barberries. If you want a certain degree of privacy even in winter, you can choose appropriate varieties.
Which barberries have a short height?
Varieties like thecushion barberry(Berberis candidula) or theball barberry (Berberis frikartii) have a lower height. They grow between 80 and 100 centimeters high. If you want to create a small barberry hedge or keep the barberry in a pot on the balcony, these types of barberry are an excellent choice. The height of the small barberry (Berberis thunbergii Atropurpurea Nana) is even lower. This variety does not grow taller than 40 centimeters.
How can I control the height of barberry?
You can easily control the height of the barberry by pruning. However, you should wear protective clothing and proceed slowly during the procedure. Otherwise, the thorns of the barberry can cause injuries, which can also become infected if they come into contact with the plant sap. Since the barberry has strong shoots, the plant is very easy to cut. You can shorten barberries twice a year and also cut them back radically without any problem.
Tip
Beware of toxic substances
Before you plant the barberry known as sour thorn in your garden, you should know that much of the barberry contains toxic substances. Only the red vinegar berries of the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) are edible.
