Within one of the most species-rich tree genera in the world, there is the ideal barberry to discover for every design wish in the garden. This fact sheet summarizes the outstanding attributes of Berberis species in order to open the door to the wonderful world of sour thorn and conspecifics for interested home gardeners.
The barberry is poisonous - with the exception of the fruit
Characteristics, origin and properties at a glance - barberry profile
Barberries are the cosmopolitans in the woody plant kingdom. They are represented on almost every continent with special species that have adapted to the respective climate. Countless varieties have emerged from the most beautiful barberries, which are used in parks, ornamental gardens and on balconies. The following profile summarizes what characterizes the equally beautiful and prickly shrubs:
- Plant family: Barberry family (Berberidaceae)
- Genus: Barberry (Berberis) with 500 to 600 species
- Occurrence: worldwide, mainly in Asia, Europe and America
- Growth: deciduous or evergreen shrubs, rarely small trees
- Growth height: 30 to 300 cm
- Special feature: strong thorns with one to seven parts and up to 5 cm in length
- Leaves: simple, obovate, serrate or thorny margin
- Flowers: yellow disc flowers from May to June, mostly in dense racemes
- Fruits: red, 0.5 to 1 cm long, dark red berries with few seeds in autumn, some edible
- Toxic content: Slightly toxic in all parts except the fruit
- Hardiness: fully hardy
- Location preferences: sunny to shady, dry to moderately moist, likes calcareous soil
Barberries offer a wide range of uses. Majestic species such as Berberis julianae act as opaque hedges or imposing solitaires. Dwarf species, such as Berberis thunbergii, are useful as ground cover or decorate the balcony and terrace in the bucket. Medium-high growing barberries, such as Berberis frikartii, enrich the garden design as a visual axis or serve as a decorative room divider.
tips
If you are flirting with planting barberries as a wild fruit hedge, the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) should be considered. The deciduous, native species rightly bears the popular name sour thorn. In autumn you can harvest the tart, dark red berries and prepare them in a variety of ways.