Berberis

The Best Berberis Plants In NZ

Berberis plants, commonly known as barberry shrubs, are a popular choice for gardeners in New Zealand. These hardy, colourful shrubs are celebrated for their adaptability and vibrant foliage, making them a perfect addition to any garden looking for year-round interest. If you're considering adding berberis to your landscape, here's a guide to the best varieties and care tips.

Why Choose Berberis?

Berberis plants are favoured for their robust nature and ability to thrive in various conditions, making them ideal for the diverse climates across New Zealand. Their striking foliage, which ranges from deep purples to bright yellows, provides a beautiful contrast in gardens. Additionally, these shrubs offer seasonal interest with small flowers in spring and colourful berries in autumn, attracting wildlife and adding to the biodiversity of your garden.

Popular Berberis Varieties in NZ

Several berberis varieties stand out for their unique attributes and suitability to New Zealand's climate:

• Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea: Known for its deep purple foliage, this variety is a favourite among gardeners seeking a dramatic statement piece. It's a compact shrub, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a hedge.
• Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow: This deciduous shrub is known for its stunning foliage, which changes from purple-pink in spring to red and orange in autumn. It is also a good choice for hedges, as it grows densely and can be trimmed to any shape.
• Berberis Helmond Pillar: This columnar variety of Berberis is ideal for use as a screen or hedge. It has bright green foliage and yellow flowers in spring.

How to Care for Berberis Plants

Caring for berberis is relatively straightforward, as these plants are low maintenance:

• Planting: Choose a well-drained site with full sun to partial shade. Berberis can tolerate a range of soil types, though they prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH levels.
• Watering: Once established, berberis plants are drought-tolerant. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.
• Pruning: Prune annually to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches to prevent disease.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to promote vibrant foliage and robust growth.

Where to Buy Berberis Plants in NZ

For those looking to buy berberis plants, the best place is The Plant Company. The Plant Company prides itself on growing and sourcing the best plants for our customers. Strict quality standards mean that only the best Berberis plants will ever be dispatched. We have a wide variety of New Zealand grown plants that absolutely thrive in New Zealand’s climate. Each plant is packed with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in at its nursery. Our impressive Google Rating is testament to how well we perform so you can shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Berberis and Barberry Plant Information

How fast does Berberis grow?

Berberis generally grows at a medium to fast rate. Most varieties can be expected to grow 25-50 cm per year, with some taller varieties can grow at 75 cm per year.

What are other names for Berberis?

Other names for Berberis include:

• Barberry
• Oregon grape
• Mahonia
• Sourberry
• Pepperidge bush
• Chinee
• Berberis vulgaris is the Latin name

Where is the best place to plant Berberis?

Berberis can be planted in a variety of locations:

• They make excellent border plants, as they can be used to add height, colour, and texture. They can also be used to create a privacy screen or hedge.
• They can be maintained in container on a patio or other small space.
• Berberis are a good choice for rock gardens, as they can tolerate dry, rocky soil.
• Berberis are useful for helping to stabilise slopes and prevent erosion.

What should be considered when planting Berberis?

Berberis require a few key things to grow well:

• Most Berberis varieties prefer full sun to partial shade.
• Berberis prefer well-drained soil and will likely fail on poorly drained sites.
• Be sure to choose a planting location that is large enough to accommodate the mature size of your shrub.

Once you have chosen a planting location, prepare the soil by digging a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of your plant. Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently to remove any air pockets. Water the shrub thoroughly once planted and make sure it doesn’t dry out while it establishes.

Is Berberis a good hedge?

Berberis makes for a great hedge that is dense, thorny, and can be trimmed to any shape or size. It is also relatively easy to care for, and will tolerate a variety of growing conditions.

Here are some of the benefits of using Berberis as a hedge:

• Berberis shrubs are very dense, which makes them ideal for creating a privacy screen or security barrier.
• The thorns on Berberis shrubs can help to deter intruders and animals.
• Berberis can be trimmed to any shape or size, making it suitable for a variety of garden styles.
• It is a relatively low-maintenance shrub. It is drought-tolerant once established, and it only needs to be fertilised once a year.
• Berberis can tolerate a variety of growing conditions, including full sun, partial shade, and well-drained soil.

Is barberry and berberine the same thing?

Barberry and berberine are not the same thing, but they are closely related:

Barberry:

• Refers to the plant itself, *Berberis vulgaris*, or various other Berberis species.
• The fruits are tart, red berries commonly used in culinary applications like jams and preserves.
• Other parts of the plant, like the root bark and stem, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Berberine:

Is a compound found in barberry, but also in other plants like goldenseal. It belongs to the group of alkaloids and is responsible for many of the medicinal properties attributed to barberry. Research suggests berberine has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, contributing to potential health benefits like blood sugar control and diarrhoea relief.

So, you can think of it like this: all barberry contains berberine, but not everything containing berberine comes from barberry.

Are barberries and goji berries the same?

Barberries and goji berries are not the same, although they may share some superficial similarities. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:

Plant Family:

• Barberries: Belong to the Berberidaceae family, closely related to plants like mahonia and Oregon grape.
• Goji berries: Come from the Solanaceae family, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant.

Appearance:

• Barberries: Are oblong-shaped, bright red berries with tart or sour flavor. Some barberry varieties have pits, while others don't.
• Goji berries: Are rounder, orange-red berries with a sweeter, slightly tangy flavour. They have tiny seeds inside.

Culinary Uses:

• Barberries: Mainly used in dried or pickled form, adding tartness and acidity to dishes like rice, stews, salads, and preserves.
• Goji berries: Can be eaten fresh, dried, or juiced. They are often praised for their nutritional value and used in smoothies, snacks, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Is Berberis invasive?

Berberis vulgaris (common barberry) and Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry), are considered invasive in many parts of the world, including North America and Europe. Here's why:

Invasiveness Traits:

• Rapid growth and spread: These barberry species can quickly form dense thickets, outcompeting native plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
• Bird dispersal: Their bright red berries are attractive to birds, who spread the seeds to new areas through their droppings.
• Adaptability: They can tolerate a wide range of soil and light conditions, making them difficult to control.

Negative Impacts:

• Reduced biodiversity: The dense growth of invasive barberry can displace native plant species, leading to a decline in biodiversity and ecological imbalance.
• Increased risk of wildfires: Barberry shrubs can create a fuel ladder, making forests more susceptible to wildfires.
• Economic damage: Invasive barberry can damage agricultural crops and reduce the value of land.

Do you cut back Berberis?

Pruning barberry bushes is generally recommended for several reasons:

• **Shape and size control:** Barberry bushes can grow quite large and unruly if left unpruned. Regular pruning helps maintain a desired shape and size, preventing them from taking over walkways or crowding out other plants.
• **Encourage new growth and foliage density:** Pruning stimulates new growth, leading to bushier and denser foliage. This can make your barberry shrubs look more attractive and provide better screening or hedging.
• **Improve light penetration and air circulation:** By removing dead or diseased branches and thinning out dense growth, you can improve light penetration and air circulation within the barberry bush. This can help prevent fungal diseases and promote overall plant health.
• **Remove diseased or damaged branches:** Pruning provides an opportunity to remove any diseased or damaged branches that could harm the rest of the plant.

Can you cut barberry to the ground?

If your plant is healthy and growing well, you can cut the plant back to the ground. It will sprout new shoots and appear as a fresh, new plant. This is best undertaken in late winter. However, a word of caution. If your plant is growing in shade or struggling for whatever reason, it may not grow back. If you are worried, leave more of the plant intact (i.e., cut it back less aggressively) when carrying out this procedure.

How do you propagate Berberis?

The most common way to propagate Berberis is by cuttings. Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken in mid-summer to early autumn, these are 4-6 inches long (10-15 cm) from new growth about 1 cm thick. Cut just below a leaf and remove the bottom leaves, leaving 4 leaves on top. Hardwood cuttings are taken from late autumn to mid-winter, these are 6-8 inches (10-15 cm) long from mature wood. Cut just above a node and remove any side shoots.

Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone (optional) and plant them in a pot with a well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Place the pot in a bright, sheltered spot and cover it with a plastic bag or cloche to maintain humidity. New growth should appear within a few weeks. Once the roots are well-established, you can harden off the cuttings and transplant them to their permanent location in the spring.