Shrubs serve an important role in landscaping. They can be used as hedge borders, focal points, along the foundation of a home to “tie” it to the ground by softening strong architectural lines, and to fill large areas. Shrubs screen and separate private areas, create garden rooms, and absorb noise. Many are evergreen, providing a backbone for the winter landscape.
Unlike annual flowers, or even some herbaceous perennials, shrubs are usually planted with permanence in mind. As such, it is important to carefully select plants to ensure long-term success. It is important to consider the plant’s adaptability to the proposed planting site, as well as its mature size. For best results, choose a plant that is best adapted to the climatic zone or region and will fit in the space designated for planting, even after it reaches full size.
When selecting shrubs for the landscape, it is also important to consider each plant’s ornamental characteristics. Consider plant height, width, and shape; foliage
color and texture, including fall color; bark attributes; and flowering and fruiting habits, to obtain the right shrub for your landscape design.
Size Matters Choosing the Right Barberry Plant for Your Landscape
When it comes to landscaping, size matters Choosing the right sized barberry plant for your yard or garden space is crucial for an attractive design that enhances your outdoor living area. With hundreds of barberry varieties available, it can get overwhelming deciding which one is best for your needs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key considerations when selecting barberries, so you pick the perfect plants to beautify your landscape
Understanding Barberry SizesBarberries range greatly in size depending on the particular cultivar. There are dwarf varieties under 3 feet tall for compact spaces. Medium-sized types reach 3-6 feet tall to fill in beds and borders. Finally large barberry shrubs grow over 6 feet tall and make excellent screening plants or focal points.
When determining size, it’s important to consider both the height and spread of the plant. Compact, mounding shrubs may only get 2-3 feet tall but can spread out 4-6 feet wide. On the other hand, columnar varieties have a narrow upright habit, remaining under 3 feet wide but growing up to 8 feet tall.
Take into account how quickly your barberry will reach its mature size too. Some varieties fill out faster than others, so a “dwarf” barberry could outgrow a small space within just a few years. Do your homework to pick a variety that won’t overwhelm your yard as it matures.
Best Uses for Different Barberry Sizes
Dwarf Barberries
- Edging along paths and walls
- Containers on patios and balconies
- Low accent plants and groundcovers
- Mixed borders and rock gardens
Medium Barberries
- Hedges, screens and barriers
- Foundation plantings
- Mixed shrub beds
- Erosion control on slopes
Large Barberries
- Hedges and privacy screens
- Windbreaks
- Property line markers
- Specimen plants and focal points
- Noise barriers
Choosing the Right Variety
With the diversity of barberry varieties, you’re sure to find one that fits your landscape needs. Here are some top picks suited to different garden situations:
Dwarf Varieties:
- ‘Crimson Pygmy’ – A fire engine red accent shrub.
- ‘Golden Nugget’ – Lime green foliage lights up shady beds.
- ‘Helmond Pillar’ – Narrow columnar form for tight spots.
Medium Varieties:
- ‘Burgundy Carousel’ – Purple leaves and a graceful arching habit.
- ‘Orange Rocket’ – Bright orange-red foliage on a rocket-shaped form.
- ‘William Penn’ – Dense green foliage turns deep red in fall.
Large Varieties:
- ‘Rose Glow’ – Large stature with elegant pink and green variegated leaves.
- ‘Red Rocket’ – Fast growing to 8 feet with red foliage and yellow flowers.
- ‘Emerald Carousel’ – Vase-shaped shrub with arching green branches.
Caring for Your Barberry
To keep your barberry looking its best while avoiding overgrowth, provide the following care:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade.
- Prune annually after flowering to shape and thin out interior branches.
- Water 1-2 times per week until established, then only during drought.
- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
- Monitor for common pests like aphids, scale, or beetles.
With the right choice of barberry and proper care, you can enjoy elegantly shaped shrubs, colorful foliage, and abundant spring blooms. So take stock of your landscape’s needs and select barberry plants with sizes suited to your space. It’s the perfect way to add multi-season beauty to your garden!
Ornamental Characteristics of Shrubs
Many shrubs are planted for their showy floral displays. You can develop a long season of bloom by planting various types of shrubs. The time any shrub remains in bloom varies from a few days to a few months; however, the time of year a shrub blooms remains the same year after year. Use a variety of shrubs that bloom in sequence to develop a planting with a long blooming period. Most landscapes have lots of flowers in spring, with few in summer or fall. Prolong the ornamental season through careful shrub selection. Choose shrubs known to bloom at alternate times of year, or choose plants that provide other ornamental traits during hot weather and into the fall such as colorful bark, fall foliage, or fruit. A number of ornamental shrubs produce attractive fruit following flowering. Some have black or dark purple fruit that often go unnoticed, unless sited for contrast. Brightly colored fruit make a better show than dull colors. The time fruit is ornamental should be a consideration. Fruit persisting into winter provides color in the winter landscape. A shrub may produce beautiful fruit, but too few to be noticed, so their ornamental value is low. Within limits, the larger the fruit the more ornamental it may be. Conversely, large fruit can be a problem to clean up. For shrubs such as holly and yew, male and female flowers are produced on separate plants and fruit is only produced on the female plants. A plant with this flowering and fruiting habit is called dioecious. When female, fruiting plants are desired, a male plant must also be grown to ensure pollination. Usually one male shrub pollinates several female plants. Foliage color, other than green, can occur in fall, in spring, or from spring to fall. The foliage of shrubs with showy spring color often fades to green or off green by summer. Colored foliage or variegated shrubs can be less vigorous than the natural form with green foliage. Shrubs with colored or variegated foliage may need different light intensity. Sunlight is often necessary for good fall color development or summer foliage coloration. For example, barberry cultivars with purple leaves in the sun may have nearly green leaves in the shade. Bark is another ornamental feature. The bark may be highly colored or have interesting texture. Shrubs with evergreen foliage, brightly colored bark, or striking bark textures and patterns can provide winter color and interest.
Attracting wildlife may be a reason for selecting a particular shrub. Some shrubs produce fruits eaten by birds and others provide shelter; while some yield flowers that attract butterflies. Some shrubs have safety concerns that should be considered. Don’t plant shrubs with poisonous berries near public walkways. Keep in mind that plants with poisonous parts or spiny foliage or stems should be avoided in high traffic areas. On the other hand, spiny shrubs/hedges may provide “traffic control” and security for an area.
Select shrubs hardy enough to survive the winter and durable enough to endure the Oklahoma summer heat. Avoid shrubs with serious pest problems. The large selection of available shrubs makes it unnecessary to use those notorious for annual infestations of insects or diseases. Pests attack most shrubs during their lives, but most can be easily controlled or ignored. Shrubs to avoid are those with serious pest problems that render the plants aesthetically unacceptable.
Shrubs pruned in a formal fashion can be used to create
fun and creative garden designs.
Interesting Stems or Bark
- Barberry, Japanese (Berberis thunbergii)
- Beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica)
- Buckthorn, Carolina (Rhamnus caroliniana)
- Buffaloberry, Silver (Shepherdia argentea)
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- Chokeberry, Black (Aronia melanocarpa)
- Chokeberry, Red (Aronia arbutifolia)
- Coralberry, Indiancurrant or Buckbrush (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
- Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.)
- Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
- Elder or Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)
- Euonymus (Euonymus spp.)
- Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
- Hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata)
- Holly (Ilex spp. and hybrids)
- Honeysuckle, Morrow (Lonicera morrowii)
- Honeysuckle, Tatarian (Lonicera tatarica)
- Jetbead, Black (Rhodotypos scandens)
- Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
- Mahonia (Mahonia spp.)
- Nandina or Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)
- Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
- Sumac (Rhus spp.)
- Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
How to Choose the Right Tree for Your Yard
FAQ
Can barberry be kept small?
Why not to plant barberry?
How far apart should I plant barberry bushes?
Do all barberry bushes attract ticks?
How big do barberry plants grow?
Large barberry plants are perfect for creating a focal point in your landscape. They typically grow to a height of 6-8 feet and have a spread of 6-10 feet. Some popular large varieties include: Barberry plants are fairly adaptable and can grow in a variety of soil types and lighting conditions.
How big do dwarf barberry plants grow?
Dwarf barberry plants are perfect for small gardens or as border plants. They typically grow to a height of 1-2 feet and have a spread of 2-3 feet. Some popular dwarf varieties include: Medium-sized barberry plants are ideal for filling larger spaces in your landscape. They typically grow to a height of 3-5 feet and have a spread of 4-6 feet.
Can barberry plants be used in landscaping?
Barberry plants are incredibly versatile and can be used in various landscaping designs. Here are a few ideas to incorporate barberry shrubs into your garden: Create colorful hedges: Plant barberry shrubs in a row to form a vibrant and low-maintenance hedge. Mix different varieties to add contrasting colors and textures.
How long does a barberry shrub take to grow?
By reading these tips, you’ll know how to cultivate this plant and what are some of the problem areas to watch out for. At its mature size, the barberry shrub reaches 9 feet in height by 6 feet in width. Because of its uniform growth, it’s often chosen to be kept as a hedge. The plant reaches its ultimate height usually within 5-10 years.