Although the plants are now eligible for import, propagation and distribution in Canada, they can only be propagated asexually from cuttings rather than from seed—seed-grown plants run the risk of reverting to an original form that could contain problems. All plants sold in 2002 were imports from the U.S.—not good news for the consumer, given the difference in dollar value. Depending on size, the average rust-free barberry retails for about $39.95. Nurseries seem to favour three cultivars: ‘Aurea Nana', a dwarf shrub with yellow foliage that changes to red in the fall; ‘Rose Glow', one of the tallest, with unusual rose-and-purple-splotched foliage; and ‘Monomb' Cherry Bomb, a medium-height shrub with large, crimson leaves. Canadian growers have begun propagating the plants, but home-grown versions are not expected to reach the market for about three years.
The name berberis comes from the Arabic name for the barberry fruit. The cultivar B. thunbergii, native to Japan, is named for Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish botanist, zoologist and medical doctor (1743-1828) who had to masquerade as a Dutch doctor to be allowed into Japan to hunt plants. He introduced many Japanese plants to the western world.
Is there a barberry in your future? If you garden in Zone 4 or higher, there's a good chance you'll eventually find the barberry you want.
New cultivars at a glance
The new Berberis thunbergii cultivars are deciduous, highly adaptable, easily transplanted and tolerant of urban conditions. Their sharp, needle-like thorns make them a good barrier plant. They prefer sandy, well-drained soils and dislike wet feet. They tolerate short, dry periods.
Full sun is needed for best foliage colour (especially for ‘Rose Glow') but barberries will thrive in partial shade, too. Their yellow flowers, which are not showy, appear in spring and have a slightly unpleasant scent. Some cultivars (exceptions include ‘Monry' Sunsation, ‘Monlers' Golden Nugget, ‘Aurea Nana' and ‘Bailgreen' Jade Carousel) have bright red fruit. Barberries make handsome specimen plants and fine formal hedges—they withstand pruning well. Zone 4.
Photo: 'Monlers' Golden Nugget
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3 Comments
Here in Grand Forks,B.C. after a very harsh winter my Barberry look almost dead,they are on the south side of the house,but the snow was hard on them and I've read that you can cut them right down in winter but I'm not that brave! I would welcome any advice. They get an abundance of compost. Thanks Verna
Here in Grand Forks,B.C. after a very harsh winter my Barberry look almost dead,they are on the south side of the house,but the snow was hard on them and I've read that you can cut them right down in winter but I'm not that brave! I would welcome any advice. They get an abundance of compost. Thanks Verna
We had 100 ft of barberry hedge...beautiful to look at, but!! We grew to hate it, due to the deadly thorns. The thorns drop into the soil all around the plant, spearing you every time you work in the soil. You cannot prune it without getting the barbs into your hands, and I even had one go through the side of my running shoe. The dead stocks of hedge are very difficult to remove for the same reason. Pruning had to be meticulously cleaned off of the sidewalk, as dogs would get the barbs into their feet. The thorn goes into your skin, leaving the barb deep inside. There it would stay, very sore, and swollen for two or three days, where it would finally rise out to be removed. There were times after pruning that we would both have 4-5 barbs imbedded. Yes it's pretty, but I would never recommend this plant to anyone.