How do I Take Care of Barberry Bushes?

Barberry shrubs produce small, edible berries.

Barberry (Berberis) shrubs work well in both formal and informal hedges. The plants produce small, edible, bright red berries in fall that add color to the shrub into the winter months. A deciduous shrub, barberry produces deep green foliage that turns orange and red in fall. In spring, small yellow flowers add some of the first color to the bush. A barberry bush is a low-maintenance addition to the garden that thrives for years when cared for properly.

Things You'll Need

• Mulch
• Hedge trimmers

Instructions

1. Plant barberry bushes in areas that receive full sun all day, though the bush does tolerate some afternoon shade. Choose an area that is well-drained and not prone to standing water.

2. Water barberry in the summer when there is less than 1 inch of rainfall in the previous 10 days. Water until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil becomes moist.

3. Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch under the barberry, and replenish this mulch layer each spring. Mulch prevents the soil from drying out too quickly.

4. Prune the barberry in spring and late summer to maintain its shape and size. Cut overgrown branches to the desired length with a pair of hedge trimmers. Cut back to a leaf set, so bare branches don't protrude from the bush.

Tips & Warnings

• Barberry is extremely drought-tolerant and grows in a wide range of soils.

• Fertilizer is rarely required, as barberry bushes have minimal nutrient needs.

• Most barberry varieties have thorns. Wear heavy gloves when pruning and working around the bush.

• Barberry is considered invasive in some areas. Check with your county extension office for any specific barberry species that poses an issue in your area.

References

• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Japanese Barberry
• University of Conneticut Extension: Barberis thunbergii