How to Prune a Barberry Bush

Decorative barberry bushes are always attractive and seldom ask you for anything but your admiration. One spring you look to admire and the bush isn't quite as wonderful as you remembered. It's starting to sprawl and look leggy. With a little pruning, it will be the happy, easy plant you remember once more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Long handled pruning loppers
• Garden gloves
• Pruning sheers

1. Put on garden gloves. The spines of the barberry can inflict a painful wound.

2. Decide on the shape that you want and how much of the plant needs to be cut.

3. Remember that evergreen forms of barberry (the ones that don't lose their leaves) need to be pruned immediately after they flower. And if they're to be cut back, save that for late winter or early spring. Deciduous barberry need to be trimmed in late summer.

4. Using pruning shears, cut the thin stems at the top of the plant. Use long-handled loppers to cut the thicker stems or the stems that grow in the center of the bush.

5. Finish trimming when the bush has an even, balanced outline. Controlling the shape is important if the bush is part of a hedge. Pruning annually will encourage a thick base.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to prune the plant. Removing old growth only encourages the plant to produce new, healthier stems.