Cariboo Gardening Guide 2003
* Barberry *

Barberry is a highly ornamental shrub valued for its multi-seasonal interest. With Spring comes the bright yellow flowers borne either singly or in pendulous racaemes. After the flowers come the ornamental scarlet or blackish fruit. Many varieties also have coloured foliage such as yellow or red to add to the summer interest. As the weather turns cooler, barberry leaves turn various shades of red and orange. The persistent fruit adds interest to the winter landscape and is a nice contrast to the snow. In addition to all of the above, barberry makes a great hedge; is tolerant to all but wet, poorly drained soils; is deer resistant; and can provide a formidable barrier due to its spiny stems. Possibly due to its’ poisonous fruit and foliage, Barberry have no serious pests. Barberry are also very tolerant of different sun exposures, however, foliage colour will be more vibrant in full sun locations.

As beautiful a shrub as barberry is, it was almost impossible to obtain until the last few years as it is the alternate host of black stem rust of wheat. In recent years, certain varieties have been deemed safe and propagation is now in full swing.

To offer our customers a good selection, we have ordered in six different varieties for the 2003 season.

Berberis thunbergii ‘Tara‘ Emerald Carousel      Ht:1.5m      Sp: 1.5m      Zone 4
A cross between Berberis thunbergii and Berberis koreana, this shrub bears its flowers in pendulous racaemes similar to B. koreana (though not quite as long). Flowers are followed by red berries. Summer foliage is green turning a brilliant dark red-purple in fall. Graceful arching stems.

Berberis thunbergii 'Gentry Royal Burgundy'      Ht:60-90 cm      Sp: 90 cm      Zone 4
Burgundy foliage has a velvety texture & a dark red fall colour. Compact, rounded growth habit. Looks nice with an underplanting of the pink flowering Daylily ‘Pink Charm’ and the grey foliaged, white flowering groundcover, Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer).

Berberis thunbergii 'Monlers’ Golden Nugget'      Ht: 30 cm      Sp: 45 cm      Zone 4
A beautiful compact shrub well-suited for use as an accent plant in the landscape. It’s brilliant foliage will help draw attention to a focal point in the landscape such as a fountain or statuary. Beautiful, non-burning, golden foliage has an orange cast for much of the year. Try pairing with purple coloured foliage or flowers in the landscape for a standout combination.

Berberis thunbergii ‘Monomb’ Cherry Bomb      Ht:90-125 cm      Sp: 125 cm      Zone 4
Slow, compact grower with compact branches and a rounded growth habit. Red summer foliage turning to orange in the fall. Great plant for hedges or a bold accent plant. The red foliage of this barberry pairs nicely with yellow and blue and is an excellent standout against the green foliage in a landscape. For a planting combination try Spiraea ’Goldflame’ with an underplanting of the purple foliaged Heuchera ‘Can Can’ For a description of this new Heuchera, turn to page 10.

Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow'      Ht: 120 cm      Sp: 120 cm      Zone 4
Mature foliage is purple/green while new foliage is mottled green & cream with a rose coloured hue. Yellow, 1/2" flowers bloom in spring & are followed by red berries. Upright, open growth habit. Adaptable to all but wet soils. Orange-red fall colour. Try pairing with the pale pink flowers of ‘John Davis’ Rose with an underplanting of the red-berried Cotoneaster Adpressus Praecox and grey foliage of the perennial Artemesia stelleriana‘Silver Brocade’ for a harmonious planting scheme.

Berberis thunbergii ‘Sunsation’      Ht:100 cm      Sp:125 cm      Zone 4
Slow growing, compact barberry. Foliage emerges a greenish yellow, later turning a golden yellow with an orange glow. A very effective contrast plant. Pairs nicely with the dark purple foliage of Cimicifuga racemosa ‘Brunette’ or Millet ‘Purple Majesty’.