Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a shrub that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 1.5m – 3m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris).
This plant has several common names including: common barberry, jaundice berry, jaundice tree, piperidge or barberry.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common barberry, jaundice berry, jaundice tree, piperidge, barberry
Scientific name: Berberis vulgaris
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 1.5m – 3m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Wildlife Gardens
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Berberis vulgaris likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.