When to Prune Barberry Bushes?
Barberry is a group of small-to-medium size shrubs with tiny leaves and spines. They are grown as ornamental specimens for its gold to purple foliage. There are numerous varieties, some native to North America. Japanese barberry is the most commonly grown variety but has escaped cultivation and should not be grown in many states. Barberry primarily needs pruning for shaping and size control. Does this Spark an idea?
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General Maintenance
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The barberry plant is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. The European and native barberries do best in partial to full sun. Barberry plants need little supplemental water except when newly established. Water newly planted Barberry deeply every week to 10 days. One annual all-purpose fertilizing in the fall or early spring provides all the extra nutrients the plant needs. Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture and keep weeds down.
Anytime Pruning
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The plants can be pruned anytime if it is just corrective. This means that a small branch is broken or one has grown out into the path. These small cuts can be accomplished at any time provided not more than 1/3 of the wood is taken. Consider waiting for corrective pruning until the plant is done flowering or the berries are all gone. Waiting preserves a characteristic you may be growing the plant to achieve but will not affect the tree's overall health.
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Seasonal Pruning
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Barberry is primarily grown for its foliage, as the flowers are tiny and inconsistent. The berries are attractive and last until winter, feeding birds and wildlife. The tree's skeleton when it loses its leaves is twisted and interesting. These characteristics are why winter is the best time to prune barberry. This preserves interesting features that the plant retains and allows you to prune when the plant is dormant, causing less stress.
How to Prune
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Barberry is primarily grown for its foliage, as the flowers are tiny and inconsistent. The berries are attractive and last until winter, feeding birds and wildlife. The tree's skeleton when it loses its leaves is twisted and interesting. These characteristics are why winter is the best time to prune barberry. This preserves interesting features that the plant retains and allows you to prune when the plant is dormant, causing less stress.
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References
- Photo Credit barberries, berries image by Simonova from Fotolia.com
