For me plants are some of the most exciting living beings, even though they live in slow motion. They have fascinating abilities and just so much potential! Thats why I studied organic farming. However, since plants are rather thin on the ground in my city, I often spend time hiking in the nearby mountains at the weekend. In the future I would love to run a farm myself. Favourite fruit: strawberries and gooseberries Favourite vegetable: courgettes
This beautiful woody plant with high ornamental value is very popular as a hedge. Here you can find out what you should consider when planting and caring for barberry.
Barberries, also called sour thorns because of their sour berries, belong to the barberry family (Berberidaceae) and decorate their surroundings with colourful fruits and yellow flowers, with which they attract various insects, birds and small mammals. In addition, these thorny shrubs are hardy and easy to care for, which makes them the perfect woody plant for your hedge, copse border or element in a natural garden. In this article, you will learn how best to proceed when planting and what is important in the care.
With 400 to 600 species, barberries are an extremely species-rich genus. So there is not one barberry variety, but many different ones, almost all of which are located outside Europe. In Europe, there are less than a handful of species, most are found in the Himalayas and temperate East Asian regions.
With their vibrant foliage and hardy nature, barberry plants are a popular choice for adding color, texture, and visual interest to gardens and landscapes However, in order to keep your barberry plants looking their best and thriving healthily, proper spacing is absolutely essential When barberry plants are spaced too closely together, they end up competing for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. This leads to stunted growth, lackluster foliage, greater susceptibility to diseases, and even plant death. Fortunately, by following some simple spacing guidelines, you can ensure your barberry plants have plenty of room to reach their full potential.
Why Proper Spacing Matters
Barberry plants grow fairly rapidly, with some varieties capable of growing up to 3 feet per year. They also tend to spread via underground rhizomes and can quickly take over an area if left unchecked This aggressive growing habit makes it crucial to space barberry plants far enough apart so that they don’t end up overcrowding each other once they reach maturity Proper spacing allows for good air circulation between plants, reducing moisture buildup and diseases like powdery mildew. It also minimizes competition so each plant can develop a healthy, expansive root system to access the water and nutrients it requires. Overall, correct spacing makes barberry plants easier to maintain by giving you sufficient room to access and prune each plant without harming its neighbors.
Recommended Spacing for Barberry Plants
The exact spacing needed for barberry plants depends largely on the mature size of the specific cultivar you are growing. However as a general guideline
- Small, dwarf barberry varieties should be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart
- Medium-sized barberry varieties should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart
- Large barberry varieties should be spaced 4 to 6 feet apart
For barberry hedges, allow at least 2 feet between each plant. If planting barberries in rows, make sure to leave 3 to 5 feet between rows to prevent overcrowding. Adjust these recommendations as needed to accommodate the ultimate width of the variety you select.
Benefits of Proper Barberry Spacing
Maintaining the right spacing for your barberry plants offers several advantages for their health and appearance:
- Improved airflow circulation helps prevent fungal diseases
- Minimizes competition between plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight
- Allows plants to achieve their maximum spread size
- Makes it easier to access plants for pruning and care
- Produces plants with more abundant flowers and improved foliage
- Prevents barberry from spreading out of control
- Creates a visually appealing, balanced planting area
When to Space Barberry Plants
The ideal time to plant and space new barberry shrubs is in early spring or fall. This gives the plants time to establish roots before summer heat or winter cold sets in. However, barberries can be transplanted or divided any time during the growing season as long as adequate moisture is provided. If spacing existing plants farther apart, take care to minimize damage to the root system. Water transplanted barberries frequently until they recover from the disturbance. Mulching around the base of the plants helps conserve moisture and prevents weeds.
Tips for Proper Barberry Spacing
Follow these useful tips to ensure correct spacing for your barberry plants:
- Carefully measure spacing distances before planting
- Err on the side of wider spacing if unsure
- Space plants equidistant to create a uniform planting area
- Group shorter varieties in front of larger types
- Use taller plants as specimen focal points
- Interplant barberries with other shrubs for texture and color contrast
- Avoid tight spacing even if you want quick growth to form a hedge
- Be diligent about thinning or transplanting plants farther apart as they mature
Maintaining Your Well-Spaced Barberry Planting
Once your barberry plants are properly spaced, be sure to provide other care like pruning, watering, and fertilization to keep them looking their best. Remove any suckers or shoots emerging in between plants. This keeps each plant neatly contained and prevents encroachment into neighboring plants’ space. Annual pruning in late winter or early spring also helps restrict size while promoting bushy new growth. With the right spacing and follow-up care, your barberry planting will thrive for years of beauty and enjoyment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barberry Spacing
How close can I plant barberries together?
Barberries should be spaced at minimum 2 to 3 feet apart depending on the variety. Closer spacing risks overcrowding and stunted plants.
Can I divide an overgrown barberry to make new plants?
Yes, you can divide barberry plants in early spring by digging up the shrub and separating rooted sections. Replant the divisions following the proper spacing guidelines.
What happens if barberry plants are spaced too close together?
Barberries spaced too closely will become stunted and scraggly as they compete for light, water, and food. They are also more susceptible to diseases due to poor air circulation.
Should I space barberry farther apart for a hedge?
No, the same spacing guidelines apply when using barberries as a hedge. Resist tight spacing even though it will fill in quicker initially.
Can I transplant a barberry that is too close to other plants?
Yes, barberries can be transplanted anytime during the growing season. Take care to minimize damage to the roots and water the plant well after replanting.
By following the proper planting and spacing guidelines, you can grow thriving barberry shrubs that reach their full size potential. The small upfront investment of time and care to space plants appropriately will reward you for years to come with a healthy, hardy, and visually stunning barberry planting. Make spacing a priority and you’ll be one step closer to a beautiful and hassle-free garden.
Barberry species and varieties
Finding the right plant for the garden is not always simple, because different species sometimes offer very different features. They differ, for example, in the height of growth and shape, berry colour, whether they shed their leaves in autumn or decorate the garden all year around as an evergreen shrub.
If you want to witness your barberry in bright autumn colours before it sheds its foliage over the winter, then the following varieties are possible:
- Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’: growth height up to 150 cm, blood red foliage in spring, good winter hardiness and no special soil requirements.
- Berberis ottawensis ‘Superba’: very hardy, height of growth 3 – 5 m, drought resistant, purple leaves.
- Berberis thunbergii ‘Bagatelle’: dwarf form, height of growth 40 – 50 cm, blood-red leaves, shallow rooter.
If you’d rather have an evergreen variety in your garden, then the following selection is ideal:
- Berberis candidula ‘Jytte’: dense, compact habit; small yellow flowers in May and dark green, narrow leaves
- Berberis buxifolia ‘Nana’: spherical shrub with growth height up to 50 cm, early flowering from April, blue-black berry colour
- Berberis frikartii ‘Verrucandi’: pruning tolerant, small ornamental shrub; growth height up to 1.50 m; fruits black, small and elongated; rounded growth; well suited as opaque hedge
Tip: If it is important to you to plant a species native to our area, then the Berberis vulgaris, also called common barberry, is ideal. This species of origin is known for its striking red fruits and dark green leaves. The deciduous ornamental shrub reaches up to three metres in height and is robust as well as uncomplicated. Its red fruits are especially popular with birds such as the hawfinch or blackbird and can also be eaten by humans. This is a peculiarity, because the fruits of all other species are slightly poisonous and therefore cannot be eaten.
Whether as a specimen plant or hedge, barberry is usually planted as a young shrub. The next sections explain how best to proceed and what you need to bear in mind.
How to plant barberry
In principle, once you have received your barberry, you can plant it out all year around. However, if there is frost, you will not be able to dig into the ground with your shovel, nor will the plant be able to spread its roots, so you should choose a frost-free period. There is also a difference between bale and container goods. Container plants can be planted all year around, while baled plants can only be planted in spring or autumn. However, whether you have chosen a deciduous or an evergreen barberry also affects the time of planting. Although classically planted in the fall, it is advisable to plant an evergreen barberry in the spring, so the plant can strengthen its roots before winter. At what distance the plant is placed in the ground, depends on the species and variety. As a rule of thumb, it should be given at least half to one-third of its final growing height as a distance from the nearest plant. Once you have determined the correct distance, you can dig the planting holes. These should be at least deep enough so that the top edge of the root ball is flush with the soil surface. They should also be 1.5 times the width of the root diameter.
If you are planting a barberry hedge, it is also advisable to line up a string before digging – this way the hedge will be straighter later. If you want to make your work even easier, it is also advisable to dig a trench instead of many individual planting holes. Before you can start planting, there are still a few steps to be taken: You can enrich the excavation of the holes or trench with compost or with a natural fertiliser such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food. Plantura All Purpose Plant Food provides the plant with the most important nutrients through its three-month slow-release effect, without using animal ingredients such as horn or bone meal.
If the root ball is very dry, it can be placed in a water bath before planting. WitThis is then planted with the enriched soil. Drench the shrub well so that it is sufficiently supplied with water from the start. For container-grown plants, be sure to tear off a few roots before planting, as this will help your shrub branch out. In the case of baled plants, the bale cloth or wire baling should be opened.
Tip: If the location you have chosen tends to be dry, you can spread a layer of grass clippings, leaves or bark mulch around the ornamental shrub.
Planting barberry – a brief summary:
- Ideal time: autumn, yet spring for evergreen varieties
- Planting distance: half to one third of the final growth height
- Planting hole: at least 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
- Enrich excavated soil with compost or fertiliser such as Plantura All Purpose Plant Food
- Cover roots with excavated soil and drench with water
- Container plants: root tearing
- Baled plants: open bale cloth or wire baling
- If the site is dry, create a mulch layer
- Perfect for a variety of plants in the garden & on the balcony
- Promotes healthy plant growth & an active soil life
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products – child & pet friendly