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Berberis julianae
wintergreen barberry
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Image © A. Bartels (universpaysage.chez-alice.fr)
Image © www.trudnoca.net/forum2/userpix/1142_utika_ja
Image © www.mwiarda.nl/hagen.htm |
Printer-friendly Fact Sheet
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| Outstanding Qualities |
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Wintergreen barberry is one of the best formidable hedge plants you can find. The leathery, dark-green foliage hides the sharp thorny-stems that knit together to form an impenetrable barrier. This evergreen shrub is tough, drought tolerant and withstands poor soils. In the fall, the older interior leaves turn bright red giving it a pleasing autumn color. In winter the remaining foliage deepens to tones of burgundy. In spring, small lemon-yellow flowers dangle in clusters throughout the bush. Berberis julianae has also shown good resistance to deer. Used as a hedge or background plant in the border, colorful variegation stands out in front of this plant. Consider a foreground planting of Cornus sericea ‘Hedgerows Gold’ or the bold, chartreuse leaves of Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’. |
| Culture |
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Very adaptable, wintergreen barberry will tolerate full sun to full shade and will grow well in fertile to poor soils. Make sure the soil has good drainage and provide summer water until well established. Due to the prickly nature of this shrub keep away from walkways and try not to plant under deciduous trees because the falling leaves will become lodged in a thorny trap. |
| Growing Habit |
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Over time Berberis julianae will reach 6 to 8 feet tall and can spread 5 to 7 feet. This broadleaf evergreen eventually forms a somewhat rounded to oval shaped shrub. It responds well to pruning and can be trained as a hedge to a height of 3 to 4 feet tall. |
| Hardiness |
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USDA zones 6 to 9 |
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© 2009 Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden