Barberry flowering. Decorative barberry - planting and care on your site. Useful and healing properties

» Barberry

Almost every adult remembers from childhood a pleasant-tasting candy caramel called “Barberry”. This candy is named after the shrub of the same name, which has recently become popular among gardeners in our country. Common barberry is a rather ornamental shrub., especially during flowering and fruit ripening.

The plant is grown not only to decorate a summer cottage, but also for harvesting, because its sour berries make wonderful compotes and syrups, jams and jelly, liqueurs and liqueurs, marshmallows and jellies.

Armenian and Georgian cuisines cannot do without barberry, the pickled berries of which add a special touch to dishes of lamb, poultry, veal, rice and vegetables.

According to the description, Barberry ordinary is thorny shrub reaching a height of 2-2.5 m. Its elongated shoots and trunks are covered with thorns, which allows the plant to be used as a reliable hedge, planting several bushes in a row at a close distance from each other.

On shortened shoots, alternate leaves of obovate or elliptical shape are formed. The leaves are not large in size: the average length is 4 cm, width is 2 cm.

Foliage looks especially beautiful in autumn when its color becomes bright red or red-burgundy.

Common barberry is a thorny shrub, blooms in April-May, bright red oblong berries ripen in September-October

Barberry shoots grow in an arched manner in different directions, creating a spreading crown that can be easily formed by pruning.

The creeping rhizomes of the shrub are located in the surface layer of soil and become woody over time. The bark of the trunks is light brown.

Barberry blooms in April-May, forming brushes of 15-25 yellow flowers. The plant is an excellent honey plant - the pollen produces aromatic, delicately sweet honey. You can admire the flowering of the bush for three weeks.

In place of flowers bright red oblong berries ripen in September-October, tart-sour taste. The average length of each berry is 1.5 cm, and the weight is about 4 g.

Unripe berries are poisonous and unsuitable for food due to their high content of alkaloids.

Conditions for growing barberry

Barberry grows almost everywhere: in Central Asia, southern and central Europe, Eastern Siberia and North America. The plant is found in the mountains of the Caucasus and Crimea, which, according to biologists, are its homeland.

Barberry has good winter hardiness and heat resistance, therefore, among gardeners it has gained fame as an unpretentious and easy-to-care crop, which is undemanding to soil fertility and can be successfully grown on poor soils.

Neutral soils with an acidity index of no higher than 7.0 are more suitable for the plant. Before planting, acidic soil is limed with slaked lime, wood ash or ground chalk.

The only requirement that barberry makes for its place of growth is– deep occurrence of groundwater and the absence of prolonged seasonal rains, since excess moisture is detrimental to the plant.

Barberry can be successfully grown in megacities. If many plants cannot tolerate urban air pollution, wither and die from dust and gas, then barberry is not afraid of “bad” ecology.

An important condition for abundant fruiting is good lighting., so it is recommended to choose a sunny place for planting. If the plant is planted in partial shade, this will significantly reduce the yield.

Planting in open ground

carried out in open ground both in autumn and spring.

Autumn planting is preferable, because in spring the shrub begins to grow very early. If necessary, spring planting is carried out before the buds open.

2-3 year old seedlings are suitable for planting, although older plants (6-7 years old) are also well accepted. For the future bush, a hole is prepared with a depth of 40 cm and a diameter of about 50 cm.

Fertile soil and fertilizers are poured into the bottom of the hole:

• rotted manure or compost;
• potassium fertilizer – 2 tbsp. l (or 2 cups of ash);
• superphosphate - 1 cup.

Fertilizers are mixed with fertile soil so that the roots of the seedling do not come into contact with chemicals. After this, the barberry is placed in the prepared hole, covered with earth and the soil is compacted with a foot.

In conclusion the trunk circle is watered and mulched with humus or peat.

Beneficial features

By planting barberry on a plot, you can obtain medicinal raw materials, because all parts of the bush contain useful substances. The healing power of the plant has been known since ancient times and was used by the doctors of Babylon and India.

Preparation of leaves for the preparation of medicinal potions, they are carried out during the budding and flowering of the plant. They contain vitamin C, carotenoids and mineral salts.

Barberry rhizomes also used for treatment, they are harvested in early spring, before the buds open, or in the fall after harvesting the fruits.

All parts of the bush contain the alkaloid berberine, which is used to treat gallbladder diseases and malignant neoplasms.

Preparations based on barberry have different medicinal properties:

Depending on therapeutic purposes use decoctions of leaves, bark or rhizomes. Decoctions are not only taken orally, but also used externally to wash wounds and sore eyes.

Preparations with barberry in compresses and rubbing are effective for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, rheumatism and arthritis. A water infusion of the bark is used for sore throat as a gargle.

Barberry berries contain acids– lemon, tartar and apple. Berry juice improves appetite and helps with constipation, having a mild laxative effect.

Taking barberry fruits with honey is prescribed after radiation exposure as a means of increasing the body's defenses.

Even the flowers of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. for problems with the cardiovascular system, preparing water decoctions from them.

We cultivate barberry in the country:

Barberry care

Caring for barberry is not a big problem. The plant needs infrequent watering, loosening and weeding, fertilizing and formative pruning.

Watering and weeding

Considering the shrub’s intolerance to stagnant moisture, There is no need to water barberry often. In normal weather with sufficient precipitation, the plant does not need additional moisture.

But during dry heat, barberry needs to be watered once a week with warm water, avoiding it getting on the leaves. Weekly watering is necessary for young seedlings for better survival in a new place.

In the process of growing barberry it is necessary regularly remove abundant root shoots and weeds. After weeding, it is advisable to loosen to a depth of 5-8 cm to ensure access of oxygen to the roots.

Top dressing

If, when planting barberry, the recommendations for applying complex and organic fertilizers were followed, there is no need to feed the plant in the first year after planting.

Next year starting in spring, 20-30 g of urea diluted in 10 liters of water are added to each barberry bush. This feeding is carried out once every three years.

When growing a plant for harvest, barberry is fed after flowering and in early autumn with potassium and phosphorus.

For these purposes, use ready-made complex fertilizers (“Kemira universal” and analogues) or potassium fertilizer and superphosphate, 10-15 g of each substance.

Trimming

The shrub grows quite slowly, giving an increase of 30 cm per year, but from the first years it needs pruning.

Sanitary pruning. Sick, dry and thickening branches of the bush are regularly cut out.

Formative pruning. The formation of a barberry crown comes down to regulating the number of branches. To do this, you need to decide for what purpose the shrub is grown.

If the priority is to obtain a harvest, then the bush is thinned out more, otherwise, with strong thickening, fruiting is sharply reduced.

Rejuvenation. Over time, barberry ages and needs rejuvenating pruning, in which old branches are cut out entirely and new ones are formed in their place.

Prune in early spring before the buds begin to open. Do not get carried away and do not shorten the branches too much. remember, that barberry blooms and bears fruit mainly on annual shoots.

Protection from diseases and pests

Barberry is susceptible to attack by various insect pests and fungal infections, but the main danger to the plant is rust, powdery mildew and barberry aphid.

Rust and powdery mildew. Rust appears as orange spots on the upper side of the leaves. Convex orange “pads” appear on the underside of the leaves, in which spores of the puccinia fungus form.

If the disease becomes threatening, the shoots begin to dry out and the leaves begin to fall off. The close proximity of barberry bushes to fields of wheat, oats and other grains threatens the spread of rust.

Treat the infection with a solution of colloidal sulfur (1.5%) or Bordeaux mixture (1-3%). Treatment begins in the first days after the leaves bloom and is repeated twice more every three weeks.

Powdery mildew appears as a white or grayish coating and affects not only the leaves, but also the shoots with berries.

To combat the disease, colloidal sulfur (0.5% solution) or fungicidal preparations are used, the choice of which is quite large. Affected leaves and shoots must be cut out and burned.

Barberry aphid. The scourge of barberry is aphids, which settle in flowers and on the underside of leaves. If treatment measures are not carried out in time, the plant will lose its decorative effect in a few days.

There are several ways to combat barberry aphids:

1. For preventive purposes in the spring, barberry is sprayed with a solution of laundry soap (1 piece per 10 liters of water).
2. To prevent aphid attacks, the bushes are treated with a tobacco solution prepared from 0.5 kg of shag and 10 liters of water. For better adhesion, laundry soap is added to the solution.
3. Folk remedies are effective: decoctions and infusions of hot pepper, garlic, marigolds and other plants that repel small pests.
4. Insecticidal preparations (Fitoverm, Decis and similar) help well, which are used both for the prevention and for the destruction of barberry aphid colonies.

Barberry is a beautiful shrub with an Arabic name. It is used in landscape design as an ornamental plant or hedge, which, thanks to its thorns, serves as reliable protection.

Barberry is attractive throughout the growing season: in spring with fragrant delicate inflorescences, in autumn with clusters of red berries and purple foliage.

Considering the unpretentiousness of the plant, even an inexperienced summer resident can cope with it, and the plant will thank you for its simple care with a harvest of healthy berries.

Many owners of their garden plots and summer cottages plant shrubs that have high decorative properties. One of them is barberry. Planting and caring for this shrub is not particularly difficult. The article discusses how to properly plant a purchased plant and care for it. Tips on propagating barberry and combating pests and diseases that affect it may also be useful.

Varieties and varieties of barberry

Barberry is a spectacular ornamental plant with elongated fruits of bright red, yellow or white. This is an unpretentious, drought-resistant and frost-resistant shrub with elliptical leaves of a wide variety of colors: green, yellow, red, purple. The berries of barberry are edible and widely used in cooking and medicine. They have a pleasant sour taste and are used for making compotes, jelly, jam, marshmallows, syrups, etc.

Due to the presence of many useful substances - malic, tartaric and citric acids, carotenoids, vitamins, mineral salts, the fruits and leaves of the plant are used to make preparations:

• lowering blood pressure;
• having a bactericidal effect;
• preventing the development of lamblia in the human body;
• to stop bleeding;
• relieving fatigue;
• fight psoriasis.

Exists three main varieties of barberry, each of which has many varieties:

1. Common barberry, reaching 3 m in height. The most popular varieties are Atropurpurea, Alba-variegata, Aureo-marginata, Vyemchaty, and Krupnokolyuchkovy.
2. Barberry ottawa. This species reaches 2-4 m in height, has very beautiful yellow flowers, pink-purple in summer and bright purple leaves in autumn. The most common varieties are Superba, Auricoma, Silver Miles, and Purple.
3. Barberry Thunberg. Plant height is 0.5-1.5 m. The varieties Rose Glow, Maria, Coronita, Harlequin, Red Chief, Aurea, Golden Ring, whose bright coral leaves bordered with a gold rim are very decorative, are very popular among gardeners, as can be seen in the photo .

There are also types of barberry that are similar in appearance to common barberry:

• hybrid Provençal barberry, obtained by crossing ordinary and Siberian plant species;
• spinous, native to the Himalayas;
• barberries Zimbold, James, Diels.

Planting barberry

In order for the seedlings to develop well, bloom and bear fruit profusely, it is important to carefully consider the choice of planting site and soil preparation. For barberry, soil that has normal acidity is most suitable; if its pH is more than 7.0, it is recommended to add slaked lime before or during planting.

The optimal distance between bushes when planting alone is 1.5 m, when creating a hedge - 0.5 m. Barberry does not tolerate stagnant water, so it should be planted in the highest places of the site and the soil should be drained by adding sand to improve aeration of the plant's root system.

Attention! Despite its hardiness and unpretentiousness, barberry is light-loving; when planted in the shade, the bright shades of the color of its leaves fade, and decorative elements on the leaves for which this plant is especially valued may disappear: spots, stripes and other patterns.

Boarding order:

1. A planting hole with sides 40 x 40 x 40 cm is being prepared.
2. A small layer of sand is placed at the bottom of the pit, then a mixture of turf soil with 8-10 kg of humus or compost. If organic fertilizers are not available, mineral fertilizers can be used instead (200 g of superphosphate and 100 g of potassium sulfate). If the soil pH is high (high acidity), 400 g of lime or 200 g of wood ash are added to it.
3. The plant is placed in a hole, the free space is filled with prepared earthen mixture, watered abundantly, and the surface is mulched with peat or compost. The root collar of the bush should be at the level of the ground surface.
4. The top of the plant is cut off, leaving 3-5 strong buds at the bottom.

The best time for planting or replanting it is in the fall - from September 15 to October 15, in the spring - from the 20th of March to April 15. Plants that are in a container when purchased can be planted in the summer, choosing a non-hot day and protecting them from direct sunlight during the first days.

Seedling care

The main operations for caring for barberry bushes are:

• loosening the soil, facilitating access of oxygen to the roots of the plant;
• watering in dry weather, weeding and weed removal;
• pruning weak and diseased branches, forming a bush;
• feeding

In the first 2 years after planting, the seedling should be covered with burlap for the winter to protect it from the cold. Mature bushes can tolerate negative temperatures quite easily. If the winter is harsh and frost damages the branches, they are pruned in spring to healthy buds.

Barberry is a fast-growing shrub that is recommended to be pruned regularly in spring or fall. This will not only remove the skeletal branches located in the central part of the bush, which lead to its excessive thickening, but also give it a beautiful decorative shape with the help of pruning. The first pruning is done a year after planting, removing half or two-thirds of the branch growth. The best time to give a neat shape to a barberry hedge is June and August.

Attention! Some varieties of barberry have sharp thorns, so when caring for them you should protect your hands with durable gloves. Regular watering (once every 4-7 days) is required only when the soil dries out in dry hot weather and for recently planted plants.

Fertilizer and feeding of barberry bushes

Barberry does not need too frequent feeding. The first feeding of the plant is carried out a year after planting, then every 3-4 years. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied (20-30 g of urea is dissolved in 10 liters of water per bush), in the fall - phosphorus, potassium (15 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium salt per 1 plant), organic fertilizers. It is good to combine these drugs with microelements.

In July, plants can be fertilized with the complex preparation Kemira-universal at a concentration of 15 g per 10 liters. Nitrogen fertilizers - ammonium nitrate, urea promote powerful growth, the formation of leaves and stems of seedlings, potassium and phosphorus provide abundant flowering and fruiting of bushes.

Barberry propagation

At propagation of barberry by seeds, they are separated from the stone and kept for 3-5 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Dried seeds are buried 1-2 cm deep in the soil; with the arrival of spring, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving a distance of 3 cm or more between them. After 2 years, the seedlings can be transplanted to another location. When sowing seeds in spring, they must first be stratified: mixed with sand and placed in the refrigerator for 2-5 months. The stratification temperature should be within 2-5 ºC. In order for the plants to bear fruit after a few years, you need to place several specimens nearby, since this is a cross-pollinated shrub.

Cuttings produced in the morning in mid-July. Preparation of cuttings consists of removing the lower leaves, shortening the upper leaves by half and placing them in an aqueous solution of heteroauxin or other root former for 3-5 hours. After washing with water, the cuttings are planted in a greenhouse. The soil should consist of equal parts of turf soil, humus and peat, to which a small amount of sand is added. For two weeks, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated and the soil is moistened, and when the cuttings are completely rooted, the film is removed.

For propagation of barberry layering in the spring, a powerful annual shoot is selected from the lower part of the bush, bent down, laid and secured in a small groove, which is covered with earth so that only the upper part of the branch peeks out from under the ground. By the end of the season, the cuttings will be able to take root; they are separated from the bush and replanted.

Diseases and pests affecting barberry

The most dangerous insects for barberry are the flower moth, aphids and sawflies. Signs of a plant infestation with aphids are drying and wrinkling of the leaves. The pest can be eliminated by spraying the bushes with a soap solution (300 g of laundry soap per 10 liters of water). Other pests can be destroyed using a 1-3% chlorophos solution.

Barberry can also be affected by fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, as seen in the photo, leaf spot, rust and other diseases. To destroy powdery mildew pathogens, the bush must be treated with 1% colloidal sulfur solution, diseased branches must be cut off and burned. If a plant is affected by rust, it should be treated three times with 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture or colloidal sulfur, once a week. For spotting disease, copper oxychloride (30-40 g per 10 liters of water) is used twice before the flowers bloom and at the end of flowering. Plants affected by wilting caused by fungi are treated with copper oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture. If bacteriosis occurs, manifested by cracks and tumors on the stems, it is necessary to cut off the diseased shoot, capturing the healthy part of the plant and burn it, and spray the bush with Bordeaux mixture or its equivalent.

By planting barberry in your garden, you can get great pleasure from the amazing beauty of this plant, create beautiful compositions using its branches densely strewn with fruits, and also use the berries to prepare many dishes and medicinal tinctures.

Barberry for the garden: video

Growing barberry: photo

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) belongs to the shrubs of the Barberry family. In German, the plant received the names Agendorn, Dreidom, Sauerdorn, in English - barberry, berbery, in French - agrivoutier, berberis, vinettier.

Appearance

Most often, barberry grows in the form of shrubs, sometimes as small trees. The maximum height of the bush can reach up to 4 m in height. However, usually the average height is no more than 2 m. Barberry leaves have an oval, ovoid shape and reach up to 3 cm in length. Barberry flowers are yellow and small, from which red, soft, spindle-shaped barberry berries are formed, the length of which varies around 1 cm.

The bark of barberry is brown and occasionally gray-brown in color. The leaves are arranged in alternate order and have short petioles. They are dull green in color.

Kinds

There are almost six hundred species of barberry.

In Russia, Thunberg's barberry is most widespread. It grows wild in the Far Eastern territories of the country, but has also taken root in Europe, the USA and Canada. In Russia, this species is most often cultivated.

Thunberg's barberry is small in height, it can reach a maximum of 2.5 m. Its branches deviate from the trunk in the manner of arcs. Early shoots are bright red or orange. During the ripening period they darken. The leaves are shaped like a rounded diamond. In spring and summer they are bright green, and in autumn they turn red. Barberry Thunberg has small thorns. The flowers of the plant are yellow, but with a red tint on the outside. The berries are bright red and glossy.

Thunberg barberry is often grown for decorative purposes; it can be found in some garden or park. It is planted in hedges and along borders. The unusual color is especially noticeable in the fall, when the leaves and fruits are brightly colored. Among other varieties of this species, there are those whose leaves are yellow or bright purple.

Barberry Thunberg is often used in landscape design

Where does it grow?

It is believed that barberry originated from Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Now it can be found throughout Europe, as well as in the southern part of Russia. However, barberry also tolerates cold well, so it can often be found in the wild and in areas with a temperate climate. Sometimes it grows in Asian countries.

Method of making spices

Barberry leaves or berries are used as a spice. The leaves taste similar to sorrel and add a piquant flavor to cabbage soup. They are used both dried and fresh. The same goes for berries. Sometimes they are used as a seasoning, then they are dried in the sun and then ground into powder.

Leaves should also be dried in the fresh air and not indoors.

Harvesting barberry in Tibet

How and where to choose a spice?

Barberry berries are available for sale; the leaves are usually prepared independently. When choosing berries, you should pay attention to their ripeness. Ripe berries are elliptical in shape and red or dark burgundy in color.

Peculiarities

Unripe barberry berries should absolutely not be eaten, as they contain poison. Another name for barberry is caramel tree.

Characteristics

Barberry has the following characteristics:

• used for medicinal purposes;
• actively used in cooking;
• serves as a honey plant;
• allows you to obtain paint from rhizomes and bark.

The roots and bark of barberry are used in traditional medicine recipes and to obtain a natural dye.

Nutritional value and calorie content

100 grams of barberry berries contain 29.6 kcal.

The nutritional value of the product includes the following components:

• proteins – 0 g;
• fats – 0 g;
• carbohydrates – 7.9 g;
• water – 82 g.

You can learn about the beneficial properties of barberry from an excerpt from the program “1000 and One Spice of Scheherazade”

Chemical composition

Barberry contains the following components:

• vitamins: A (RE) – 23333.33 mcg; C - 500 mg; β-carotene – 140 mg; K – 0.5 mg;
• other chemical components: carotenoids (lutein, xanthophyll, zeaxanthin, flavoxanthin, auroxanthin, capsanthin, etc.); pectin substances; ash (0.96%); tannins; organic acids; alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, columbamine, etc.); malic and citric acids; resinous substances (up to 5.2% in leaves and up to 1.12% in bark and branches).

Beneficial features

Barberry has the following beneficial properties:

• cleanses the body;
• helps blood clot in wounds;
• improves appetite;
• is a preventative against many diseases.

Barberry helps blood clot in wounds due to its high pectin content.

Harm

Barberry should be used with caution, as the following negative consequences are possible:

• miscarriage in pregnant women;
• drowsiness;
• lethargy;
• lethargy;
• convulsions;
• swelling of the skin;
• dizziness;
• vomit;
• nose bleed.

Contraindications

Barberry should not be consumed in the following situations:

• pregnant women;
• children;
• women during feeding;
• in the presence of individual intolerance;
• in combination with sedatives;
• for kidney diseases;
• in the presence of stones in the gall bladder;
• with heavy bleeding in women after menopause;
• for some types of hepatitis.

All parts of the plant, except ripe berries, contain alkaloids, so it should be used with great caution.

Juice

Barberry juice is obtained from fully ripened berries, which are very soft to the touch. It helps improve appetite and is also used for irregular bowel movements as a mild laxative. It normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and tones the body. Barberry juice is also used to reduce high fever during infections, and it serves as an excellent thirst quencher.

Application

In cooking

Barberry has an extensive list of culinary uses:

• used as a spice for meat or rice in Asia (ground or dried whole);
• added to pilaf;
• leaves are pickled or cut into salads;
• added to sausages;
• used as a spice for broths and many oriental dishes;
• jams, jelly, sherbet, juice, compote are made from berries;
• used in the preparation of marinades and sauces;
• used in the production of marshmallows and sweets, as well as mousses and marmalade;
• used in the production of alcohol (alcohol tinctures, liqueurs, etc.).

Barberry has a pronounced fruit aroma and adds a pleasant, refreshing sourness to dishes. The berries are stored pickled, salted, and candied. Barberry makes an excellent seasoning for game dishes.

Barberry honey has a pleasant golden color and a mild sweet taste. Slightly unripe fruits are subjected to salting and pickling. If the berries have a sour taste, then they are used to produce alcohol.

Candies

At home, you can make delicious candies from barberry using the following recipe:

• you need a few tablespoons of sugar, 0.25 kg of barberries and an apple;
• the barberry is washed, placed in a pan, and put on fire;
• a small amount of water and sugar are added to it;
• after boiling, cook the berries for 8 minutes;
• then they are crushed or pureed with an immersion blender;
• the apple is peeled and grated on a medium grater, and then mixed with barberry puree;
• spread the resulting mixture on a baking sheet in one layer and dry at a temperature of about 90 degrees for 5 hours;
• then the mixture is cut into strips with a knife and rolled into rolls.

Compote

From barberry you can cook an excellent thirst-quenching compote or delicious jelly. Barberry goes surprisingly well with apples. Compote of apples and barberries will perfectly refresh you in the heat.

• You need 1 kg of apples, 0.2 kg of barberries, a liter of water and 350 g of sugar (approximate quantities are given).
• Apples are cut into slices and peeled from seeds.
• Barberries and apples are placed in jars layer by layer.
• You need to prepare hot sugar syrup in advance.
• Fruits and berries are poured with this syrup and sterilized.

In medicine

Barberry is universal for medicine. Not only berries and leaves are actively used, but also bark and even rhizomes. Barberry has an unusually rich chemical composition, where alkaloids play the main role. The medicinal uses of the plant are as follows:

• as a remedy against diseases of the gallbladder and liver;
• to increase blood clotting;
• to increase muscle contractions;
• to lower blood pressure;
• to provide a calming effect;
• as a remedy for colds;
• to remove harmful substances from the body;
• to prevent cancer and atherosclerosis;
• to improve heart function;
• as a mild laxative;
• for the treatment of headaches;
• for the treatment of sore throat;
• against fever.

Tincture

At home you can prepare barberry tincture using alcohol. To do this, the leaves are filled with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5. Leave them for 2 weeks until the mixture turns yellow. This tincture helps to treat certain types of hepatitis, bleeding in the uterus, and gallbladder diseases.

It is also useful to take a tablespoon of juice per day.

You can prepare an infusion from barberry leaves. To do this, pour 15 g of leaves into a glass of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. The infusion is recommended for the treatment of liver diseases and is taken after meals.

Barberry is also found in some medicines.

An infusion of barberry berries will help solve problems with indigestion.

Tea with barberry will calm your nerves

In cosmetology

Barberry infusions are used to wipe the skin. Due to this, it becomes more elastic and smooth. Many hair masks also contain barberry, which helps strengthen hair and treat dandruff. The simplest version of a barberry rinse is a handful of berries, boiled in water and infused for 40 minutes. Strain the broth and rinse your hair with it every time you wash it.

In cosmetology, not only berries, but also leaves are used

At home

Household uses of barberry are as follows:

• used in official medicine;
• used in cooking;
• Various crafts are often made from branches;
• barberry roots contain dyes for silk fabric and leather;
• the berries are used to produce a dye for linen fabric and paper;
• helps with weight loss.

Barberry honey is very aromatic and healthy

Growing

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate barberry:

• Cherenkovy. The cuttings are cut and planted in greenhouses. They need to grow there under a film; it is allowed to water them with means that accelerate growth. Greenhouses need to be ventilated periodically. As soon as the first leaves appear, the greenhouse is kept open. The soil must be constantly loosened.
• Seminal. Seeds obtained from barberry berries are soaked in a diluted solution of potassium permanganate and sown in the autumn months, but before severe cold snaps. Literally a year later, the strongest ones are selected from the seedlings, which need to be transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
• By division. It is necessary to cut off part of the parent bush, but the roots must not be damaged.

Planting and care

Barberry is planted in soil with a normal acidity level, although a slight increase is allowed. When planting bushes individually, they should be planted at least 2 m apart from each other. If the goal is to form a living fence, then the bushes are planted in a pre-dug trench in the calculation that there are 2 bushes per 1 m.

It is not important for barberry to grow in the shade or in the sun. However, the sun is preferable, since the decorative properties may be lost in the shade.

The plant is not capricious, so it is easy to care for. You can water once a week, and it is recommended to fertilize the bushes in the first spring after planting. Fertilizers should contain a lot of nitrogen. Then the barberry is fertilized with nitrogen after a few years. The use of fertilizers rich in microelements is allowed.

In some US states, barberry cannot be grown, as it is considered a “monopoly” plant that gradually outlives other plants.

Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that barberry can be used as a substitute for Viagra.

In ancient empires, barberry was considered a plant that brings happiness.

Barberry is a unique plant, all parts of which are used in medical therapy. Our ancestors were well aware of the benefits of barberry and the harm it can cause to humans. Today, even official medicine recognizes this plant as medicinal, and drugs made on its basis are a real lifesaver in the fight against many ailments.

Composition of barberry

Barberry berries are impressive with their composition:

• tannins and pectins;
• carotenoids;
• ash;
• organic acids;
• vitamins C, E, K;
• macro and microelements;
• ascorbic acid.

Quite a lot of substances beneficial to human health are located in the roots and leaves of the bush. They contain about 11 alkaloids, the dominant one being berberine, which has medicinal value. They also contain malic, citric, and tartaric acids. The berries of the miracle bush can boast a tiny amount of carbohydrates, no more than 7%. The bark of the roots contains coumarin, which is not deprived of healing qualities.

Medicinal properties of the product

In addition to its pleasant appearance, the beneficial properties of barberry are highly valued.

• Even the ancient Greeks used this product as a blood purifier.
• The fruits of the bush are indispensable in the fight against colds.
• A decoction of the bark is effective in treating gum inflammation.
• Berry decoction is an excellent means of combating vitamin deficiency.
• Its bactericidal, antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory qualities are highly valued.
• When bile stagnates, berries are used as a choleretic agent.
• The product normalizes the activity of the pancreas.
• It has a pronounced diuretic and diaphoretic effect, so tea based on it is recommended to drink during fever and fever.
• Used for liver pathologies.
• Tea made from the fruit is indispensable for strengthening the walls of capillaries.
• The drug can lower blood pressure.
• A decoction of the fruit is effective for diarrhea and poisoning.
• Remedies prepared from the leaves of the bush are effective for diseases of the stomach and intestines.
• Decoctions from the bark help treat diseases of the female reproductive system.

Important! Barberry retains many of its medicinal properties even after heat treatment, which is an important aspect.

How to properly prepare barberry

For any medicinal plant, it is important to collect and prepare it correctly. Barberry is no exception.

The fruits should be collected in late autumn. Only fully ripe berries, which contain the maximum amount of vitamins and beneficial components, are suitable for assembly. The collected product is laid out in a thin layer on a baking sheet and placed in the oven. Drying should begin at a minimum temperature of 45 0 Celsius, gradually increasing to 60 0. To determine whether the fruits are dry, you need to take a handful of them in your hand. Non-sticking berries are an indicator of their readiness. It is recommended to store dried barberry in a cardboard box in a dry place. For 2 years, all the beneficial qualities of the berries are preserved.

Harvesting the roots of this plant should be done in late autumn. To dry, they are laid out in a thin layer on cardboard or fabric, placed in the attic or in the dryer.

Dried barberry is popular not only in our folk medicine, but also in cooking.

Application of barberry

Any part of this unique shrub, be it leaves, roots or berries, has certain medicinal qualities. Its fruits have a pronounced sour taste. They make excellent compotes, jelly, liqueurs, syrups and even candies. Pickled barberry, which has a slightly sour taste, goes well with fried vegetables.

The leaves of the bush are rich in vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and mineral salts. Tea is brewed from them or a decoction is prepared. Effective as a hemostatic and choleretic agent.

The bark and roots of the plant are used to prepare decoctions, which are an excellent medicinal drug for various ailments. The roots are dried and added to tea. You can use both fresh and dried barberry.

Fruit decoction

Application: effective for bronchitis, cough, pneumonia, colds. An excellent choleretic, diaphoretic and diuretic.

Preparation: 2 large spoons of barberry fruits are poured into 0.5 liters. water, put on low heat and boil for about 20 minutes. The broth is filtered and boiled water is brought to the original volume. It is recommended to take 50 ml. three times a day.

Leaf decoction

Application: the product relieves an attack of nausea, is used for diarrhea, cramps in the stomach and intestines.

Preparation: 15 grams of plant leaves are poured into a glass of water, placed on fire and boiled for about 10 minutes. The resulting broth is filtered and boiled water is added to it so that the original amount returns. Take one tablespoon four times a day.

Root decoction

Application: in cases of gum inflammation, it is used to rinse the mouth. Effective as an analgesic and antispasmodic. Lotions made from a decoction of the root relieve muscle spasms in the legs due to radiculitis and arthritis.

Preparation: a tablespoon of ground barberry root is added to water (400 ml) and put on fire. After the broth has simmered for two minutes, remove it and let it brew for about half an hour. Take one tablespoon of the strained decoction every hour for diarrhea and intestinal spasms.

Barberry - a means for weight loss

Barberry berries are classified as low-calorie and dietary products. They can boast of low calorie content: 100 grams of raw materials contain only 9.6 kcal. Therefore, barberry for weight loss has become widespread recently.

There are many recipes prepared using these berries that help you lose extra pounds. Their use requires preliminary study of what harm medicinal berries can cause to the body. Among all the options, the following stand out:

• Barberry for weight loss, tincture recipe.

20 grams of leaves of this plant are poured with 100 grams of vodka. The resulting mass should be stored in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks. As soon as the allotted time has elapsed, strain the infusion and remove the leaves. Take the miracle infusion 25 drops in the morning, lunch and evening. Continue for 2 weeks.

• Tea made from the fruit or root of the plant.

Barberry is effective for weight loss if consumed as tea. This preparation is simple. 1 teaspoon of crushed dry berries or plant roots is poured into a glass of boiled water. After 10 minutes of infusion, the drink is divided into three parts and drunk during the day after meals.

• Barberry for weight loss can be prepared as a compote. In this case, instead of sugar, you can add a slice of lemon, which will add piquancy to the drink. The body will receive a low-calorie, but at the same time nutrient-rich product.

Contraindications for consuming barberry

The benefits of barberry are beyond doubt. However, in some cases this product should be taken with caution so as not to cause harm to the body. Contraindications for the use of barberry can be noted in the following situations:

1. During pregnancy, it is better to refrain from using this remedy. Barberry's ability to stimulate muscle activity can cause irreparable harm to the expectant mother. As a result, there is a threat of miscarriage. Barberry should also not be consumed during breastfeeding.
2. Contraindications to the use of the product can be noted in patients using sedatives. This is explained by the fact that barberry has a powerful sedative effect.
3. Significant harm occurs when overeating berries or in case of an overdose of medicines prepared on the basis of this plant. The result may be dizziness, nausea, convulsions, nosebleeds, kidney failure, etc.
4. Barberry can cause significant harm to human health due to its ability to lower blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes need to be careful.
5. The product is not recommended for use by children under 12 years of age.
6. Unripe berries can cause considerable harm to the body. They contain toxic compounds that can cause intoxication, expressed by vomiting and diarrhea.
7. Contraindications for use are for people suffering from complex forms of hepatitis, cholelithiasis, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Important! When treating with barberry (especially a decoction of the bark), the specific toxicity of berberine, especially to liver cells, should be taken into account. Therefore, when carrying out treatment, it is imperative to coordinate all your steps with the doctor.

In any case, before starting such treatment, it is necessary to weigh the possible harm and benefit to the body, find out what contraindications exist, and only then make a decision.

Knowing the medicinal properties and contraindications of barberry, you can begin therapy. However, it should be remembered that large doses are dangerous for the human body, and treatment should not last more than one month.

Some symptoms of appearance:

• increased sweating;
• weakened immunity, frequent colds;
• weakness, fatigue;
• nervous state, depression;
• headaches and migraines;
• alternating diarrhea and constipation;
• I want sweet and sour;
• bad breath;
• frequent feeling of hunger;
• problems with losing weight;
• decreased appetite;
• night grinding of teeth, drooling;
• pain in the abdomen, joints, muscles;
• cough does not go away;
• acne on the skin.

If you have any of the symptoms or are in doubt about the causes of your ailments, you need to cleanse your body as quickly as possible. How to do it .

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Barberry varieties that are unpretentious in care and planting are in great demand among Russian gardeners. Due to the bright colors of the foliage - from green and yellow to purple and red, the shrub looks very picturesque. There are specimens with colored edging, variegated and even speckled.

Botanical description

Barberry bears fruit abundantly with large, often edible berries, which are used as food in many cuisines around the world. The graceful appearance of the ornamental plant is actively used in landscape design. Dwarf varieties of barberry are grown at home.

The plant does not require special care or attention, and has drought-resistant and frost-resistant qualities. It reproduces well by all popular gardening methods. It does not require constant feeding, rarely gets sick, and takes root well in any soil.

Barberry is called a candy bush at the suggestion of Soviet confectioners, who gave its name to their famous caramels. But if you look at the large, ripe and bright fruits of the plant, it’s really hard not to associate them with a sweet delicacy.

There are varieties with evergreen, partially deciduous and deciduous crowns. Leaves grow in bunches in regular order. Thin branches, covered with spines, tend upward at an acute angle.

Depending on the type and variety, the shrub can reach a height of 30 cm to 3 m. Crown the latter in adulthood acquires columnar, spherical or spreading outlines. The average age of an individual is 35-50 years.

Barberry blooms in late spring and early summer in a bright palette of shades: violet, purple, red, pink, yellow, white, green, variegated. Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. Towards the beginning of autumn, oblong oval-shaped berries, red, black or burgundy, appear.

The fruits do not spoil on the branches for a long time, even in winter diluting the snow-white landscape with the rich colors of summer. Most barberry species are honey plants. Fresh honey has a medium consistency, sweet taste and golden hue.

Halo of growth

The plant is a typical inhabitant of almost the entire territory of the Northern Hemisphere, with the exception of permafrost latitudes. For decorative and cultural purposes, it is bred in Europe, the Far East, China, Japan, Central Asia, North America, the Caucasus, Persia, Siberia, and Crimea.

The shrub tolerates temperature changes typical of a temperate continental climate. Some varieties are insulated for the winter, others are quite frost-resistant. Heat is also not a big problem for barberry.

Grows in any soil, even with a composition poor in nutrients. The small root system allows the tree to easily get along with other vegetation.

The main requirement for environmental conditions is the absence of stagnation of moisture in the roots and a sufficient amount of light.

Barberry tolerates drought much better than excess water. It is able to grow in the shade, but in this case the color of the foliage will not be bright and saturated. Fruiting will also not be abundant.

Popular types and varieties

According to modern taxonometry, the genus Barberry has almost 600 plant species. Most of them are bred for decorative purposes. This includes both giant plants and low-growing individuals.

Many species are divided into separate varieties, which further increases the number of variations of the shrub. Let's look at popular varieties of barberry, the best for growing in Russian regions. Some of them are edible, others are grown for pharmacological, aesthetic and other purposes.

Thunberg

Thunberg

Under natural conditions, the species grows in China and Japan. This is an elegant deciduous shrub whose crown color palette includes all shades of red, yellow, orange and green. It tolerates frost and drought well, is not afraid of pests, and grows in an urban environment in rocky soil without fertilizers.

• Thunberg Erecta. An erect, pyramidal bush with bright green leaves of regular, oval shape. The crown is thick and dense. The average height of an individual is 1.2-1.5 m. The flowers are yellow and pale red.
• Thunberg Administration. A miniature, dwarf tree with a wide, round top, which can reach 1 meter in diameter. Moreover, the height of an adult specimen rarely exceeds 50 cm. The leaves have yellow, red and orange colors with a clear, light edging.
• Thunberg Coronite. Neat bushes up to one and a half meters high with vertical shoots. The oblong, soft pink leaves have a light green edge. The flowers are yellow, the fruits are juicy red.
• Thunberg Golden Rocket. Yellow barberry with a pyramidal crown, growing up to 1-1.2 m. It is distinguished by lush green-yellow foliage and bright yellow flowers. Grows well in many regions of Russia.
• Thunberg Harlequin. A wide, spreading bush, approximately 2*2 meters, with purple leaves with white and yellow spots. Tolerates frost and lack of water very well. Requires regular pruning to shape.
• Thunberga Atropurpurea. A plant with purple leaves and a tall oval crown. It blooms with yellow-purple flowers and produces deep coral-colored fruits.

Tibetan

Tibetan

Natural habitat - Eastern China, Northern India, mountains of Tibet. Asian barberry is considered one of the most useful plants among all members of the genus. The healing basket of scarlet fruits of the plant is especially famous.

The trees grow up to 3.5-4 meters, the branches grow widely upward and to the sides. The dark green leaves curl into tubes, and the flowers have an unusual purple color.

Goji variety Shambhala. A very thorny shrub, up to 3.5 meters high. It is famous for its famous goji berries, which are credited with healing powers in the treatment of cancer and other dangerous diseases. This barberry grows in any soil except swampy soil.

Canadian (Ottawa)

Canadian (Ottawa)

Varieties of this species are united by red foliage and a dense, spreading crown. The color of the leaves varies from dark purple to deep scarlet. It is not very widespread in Russia, it is more often found in Siberia and the Urals, due to its frost-resistant qualities.

• Superba. Purple shrub with yellow crown and red berries. It grows quickly and vigorously and requires regular pruning. Unpretentious, drought-resistant.
• Auricoma. Burgundy foliage with silver tints. It grows compactly but voluminously.
• Silver Miles. A low tree up to 3 meters high. Leaf color ranges from purple to burgundy. The flowers are yellow-red, small, and grow abundantly.

Amursky

Amursky

This type of barberry is found naturally in the Far East, China and Japan. The varieties are usually tall - from 2 to 3.5 meters, the crown is not dense, spreading.

In summer it is bright green with yellow petals. The berries are eaten and medicinal tinctures are prepared from them. The bark is used for mosaic finishing.

Common (evergreen)

Common (evergreen)

Large, slow-growing shrub with narrow, long leaves. They do not fall off in the fall and remain on the branches throughout the frost period. In the spring, when a new crown begins to grow, the old leaves dry out and fall off.

The plant is not afraid of frosts down to -35°C, so it is actively grown in central Russia, Siberia, and the Urals. It rarely becomes the target of pest attacks and does not suffer in organically weak soil.

Grows well in a polluted urban atmosphere:

• Alba variety. A beautiful fluffy shrub with unusual white fruits. Grows in Crimea and the Caucasus.
• Variety Lutea. The light yellow berries are eaten. Abundant fruiting is possible only in a bright, sunny area.

Korean

Korean

The plant's homeland is the Korean Peninsula, its rocky slopes, gorges, and mountainous regions. Large ovate leaves are green in summer and turn red in autumn. The spines are flattened, long, thick.

The fruits are bright red, perfectly round in shape, 10-12 mm in diameter. The shrub does not tolerate severe frosts and prolonged thaws.

Planting in open ground

The plant is planted in the spring, with the onset of the first warm days. It is important that the buds on the shoots have not yet bloomed. The shrub takes root well and rarely dies when planted.

If you purchased seedlings with a closed root system, they can be planted in the fall, a month before the onset of frost, no later than mid-October. Such a shoot grew in a special container, its roots are well formed, not exposed, and are in their native earthen coma.

Therefore, it will survive the winter well, especially if you additionally wrap the young bush with branches and throw snow on top.

For rich color and picturesqueness of the future shrub, you should choose a sunny place for planting. Barberry grows in the shade, but the color of the foliage becomes dull, the bright leaves turn green. Individuals with multi-colored shades on the petals and crown are especially light-loving.

The soil can be sandy, rocky, clayey - it is important that it is not excessively moist, as happens in wetlands. To prevent moisture from stagnating in the roots, take care of a good drainage layer. Broken brick, pebbles, crushed stone, and any medium-sized stones are suitable.

Step-by-step instructions for planting barberry:

1 The hole is dug 10-14 days before planting. The optimal size is 50*50*50 cm. If you plan to plant several plants, the distance between the holes should be 1-1.5 m. For a hedge – 0.5 m.

2 Fill in a small amount of sand and lay drainage.

3 Add a layer of mixed soil and humus.

4 For additional nutrition, add 100 g of simple mineral fertilizer based on phosphorus.

5 Place the seedling vertically and carefully straighten the roots.

6 Cover with soil up to the level of the neck of the root system. Lightly press down the soil. The bush must be tightly fixed.

7 The top layer of soil is mulched with organic material. This layer will additionally fertilize the soil and maintain the desired temperature and humidity in the root system. Reception allows you to improve air-gas exchange, which makes it easier for the newly grown shrub to feed.

8 The final stage is watering the plant and trimming the tops of the shoots. Leave 5-7 buds for growth to begin.

Despite its unpretentiousness and the absence of special care requirements, in order for barberry to please the eye with a picturesque view, you should follow simple rules of watering, pruning, feeding, pest and disease control.

Watering rules

The plant is not moisture-loving. In the cool summer period, seasonal precipitation is enough for it. If dry, warm weather sets in, water the bush once every 2 weeks. 10-15 liters of water is enough for an adult shrub and half of this measure for specimens of the first year of life.

Young seedlings need to be moistened 1-2 times a week until complete rooting. You can check whether watering is needed by lightly digging the top layer of soil. If it is dry, add water; if it is wet, wait a couple of days.

Pruning rules

In order for the shrub to grow beautifully, acquire an aesthetic shape and a graceful appearance, it must be pruned regularly. This procedure is performed not only for decorative purposes. In March and October, sanitary pruning is carried out to remove diseased, dried or damaged branches.

The young tree is not pruned in the first year. The first procedure is performed in the second spring, before the buds swell. At the end of summer, the aesthetic appearance of the plant is further adjusted.

Some low-growing varieties have a very dense and dense crown that grows in a regular cone or column. If broken or unhealthy shoots are not visually observed, the plant is not pruned.

Fertilizer and feeding

During the first 3 years of life, barberry only needs the mineral supplements that were added to the soil during planting. An adult plant is fertilized with urea in the spring. This is a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, which stimulates active growth, promotes rich foliage color, and the formation of a lush crown.

Instructions for preparing urea: The product is diluted in proportions - 30 g of dry composition per 10 liters of water.

In the summer, when the plant has finished flowering, it is additionally supplied with any fertilizer with a phosphorus-potassium base. It will strengthen the roots and catalyze the ripening of berries. Has a beneficial, nutritional effect on the soil.

The feed is diluted strictly following the instructions.

Probable diseases

Barberry has excellent immunity to many diseases that plants encounter in the country. It rarely gets sick, is resistant to pest attacks, and does not depend on sudden temperature changes. However, if you overdo it with watering, the process of rotting may begin in the roots, and fungus may appear on the trunk.

Let's look at common barberry diseases and ways to combat them:

1 Among the pests on the foliage you can find aphids and sawflies, and berries are sometimes affected by moths. If the number of insects is small, the bushes are treated with dishwashing detergent: add 3 tablespoons of soapy substance to 1 liter of water and spray from a distance of 0.5 m. If there are a lot of pests, purchase the preparations “Aktellik”, “Karbofos”, “Aktara”.

2 Sometimes the branches are affected by a fungal coating, which is called “powdery mildew”. Outwardly, it looks like white spots, as if sprinkled with flour. Diseased shoots are cut off and burned. The shrub is treated with fungicides.

3 The same substances will save barberry from rust and bacterial cancer. The first appears as red smudges and spots on the tree trunk. The occurrence of the second is indicated by numerous cracks and growths.

In advanced cases, they do not spare the plant and uproot the entire bush. Otherwise, there is a risk of infection of other garden crops. All affected branches are destroyed at the stake.

Wintering

Despite the frost resistance of most species and varieties of barberry, young plants need to be covered for the winter. This applies to specimens under 5 years old. A thin and insufficiently strong root system may not tolerate the cold and die.

In regions with severe frosts, mature bushes are also wrapped. A hut-like structure is made from spruce branches and dry branches. When snow falls, it is additionally thrown onto the roof of the makeshift house.

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Reproduction methods

Barberry is bred using all methods known in botany: cuttings, seeds, layering, dividing the bush. The plant takes root equally well when using any of them.

Let's look at each process step by step:

Cuttings

The method requires constant care of the cuttings.

1 At the beginning of summer, fresh shoots 15-20 cm long are cut to obtain cuttings.

2 The foliage is removed from below, the cut is treated with any phytohormone.

3 The top leaves are cut to half.

4 Cuttings are planted in soil made of humus, peat and sand poured into a greenhouse container. A trunk 1/3 of a branch long remains outside.

5 The seedlings are watered, covered and ventilated daily.

Layerings

One of the simplest and least labor-intensive methods.

1 With the onset of spring, choose strong shoots growing in the lower part of the outer circle of the bush.

2 They are bent to the ground and placed in specially dug trenches with drainage, 0.5 m deep.

3 Secure with staples, sprinkle soil on top, and mulch.

4 Don’t forget to water and feed regularly, just like the mother bush.

5 After a year, the branches are cut off from the parent with pruning shears, dug out of the ground along with the formed root system and replanted for growing.

6 Another year later, in the spring, fresh shoots of barberry are planted in a permanent place.

Seeds

Barberry seeds have a high level of germination.

1 At the beginning of autumn, the fruits on the bush ripen. They are collected and washed. Every other day, wipe and lay out to dry.

3 For the winter, the bed is covered with spruce branches.

4 In the spring, when the shoots appear, they are thinned out. Leave one seedling every 3-5 cm.

5 During the summer, do not forget to regularly water, loosen, weed and fertilize.

6 With the onset of the second spring, the seedlings are planted in permanent places.

Please note that with this method of reproduction, young barberries may not retain the characteristics of the mother.

Dividing the bush

For this method, it is necessary to select plants no older than 5 years.

1 In the spring, with the onset of settled warm weather, a young bush is dug up. The buds should not swell yet.

2 Use pruning shears to cut the root system so that at least 3-5 shoots remain on each side.

3 The cut site is treated with charcoal and immediately planted in a permanent place.

4 Water, mulch, fertilize according to plan.

5 Dividing barberry is used only for propagating dwarf shrubs. For example, varieties of domestic plants.

At home, low-growing varieties of the Thunberg species grow best. They respond well to frequent decorative pruning, so such plants look aesthetically pleasing and elegant.

The following varieties are perfect for the home:

• Natasha. Variegated foliage with tints of white, pink and green looks unusual on pinkish branches. An unpretentious plant that grows slowly.
• Erecta. The leaves are regularly rounded and green in color. The bush is decorated by an even, columnar crown that does not grow higher than 80 cm.
• Bagatelle. Dense, spherical shrub with bright purple leaves edged with green. The height of an adult plant does not exceed 30 cm.

For indoor barberries you should choose universal soil. Don't forget to put drainage on the bottom. Watering is done twice a week in summer, autumn and spring, and once in winter.

Spray regularly with water, excluding the flowering period. The pot is placed on the sunny side, with a constant flow of fresh air.

Amazing winter spectacle

When choosing a suitable variety, they are guided by the weather conditions of the region and the characteristics of the plant’s resistance to them.

1 Mild winters of the Mediterranean, southern regions of the Caucasus and the Black Sea coast allow you to grow almost any type of barberry. The warm climate promotes favorable growth, abundant flowering and fruiting.

2 Temperate continental climate of central Russia characterized by hot summers and mild winters with temperatures down to -20-25°C. It is better to wrap the barberry for the winter, and in the summer do not forget to water it when there is no rain.

3 In areas with high groundwater content in the soil, which includes the Moscow region, when planting, do not forget about the drainage layer. Its height should be 1/3 of the depth of the planting hole.

Barberry in landscape design

The variety of colors of barberry foliage and trunks, the decorative shape of the crown and unpretentiousness to urban conditions have determined the frequency of use of different varieties of shrubs in landscaping and landscape design.

It looks spectacular at any time of the year. In spring and summer there is fresh greenery, in autumn there is a fiery fire, and in winter bright fruits decorate the faceless snow-white garden.

A fantastic combination of shades makes the bush stand out equally well both in a single planting and in a group planting, where it often acts as the center of the composition. Hedges made from barberry look gorgeous, especially from several varieties with different crown colors.

The shrub lends itself well to pruning, pliably takes the desired shape, and grows correctly in the indicated direction. Using it, picturesque ensembles are obtained that delight the eyes of passers-by in city squares and parks.

Application of fruits, foliage and wood

In addition to its chic appearance, the plant is famous for its dense and textured wood.. Some of its types are used in turning, as a material for openwork inlay. The wood of many varieties has a rich red, burgundy, yellow or purple hue, so it is actively used for laying out Indian mosaics.

Souvenirs, crafts, and toys are made from solid trunks.. They are used to make shoe nails. And from the yellow bark and rhizomes, natural yellow paint is obtained.

In Tibet, crushed and dried fruits are added to spicy mixtures. In the east, barberry seasoning is used everywhere. It is added to meat fillings, pilaf, and stewed meat dishes.

Fresh leaves are used to make sour soups, chop them into salads, and add them to canned food.. Valuable and healthy tea with barberry flavor is obtained from dried fruits and herbs. In the cosmetology industry, oil extract from fresh barberry berries is added to creams, lotions for hair and face.

Healing properties

Since ancient times, barberry has been known as a plant with a rich healing potion. Its fruits, bark and leaves contain a lot of nutritious biological substances and beneficial microelements.

The medicinal properties of the bush are used in pharmacology, folk and traditional medicine:

• A decoction of the fruits of the plant has a hemostatic function. Regular use normalizes blood pressure and strengthens blood vessels
• barberry compote is famous as an effective antiviral agent. It is good for respiratory diseases
• Plant-based medicines normalize metabolic processes, remove waste and toxins. They increase appetite and help food digest properly
• there are studies proving the effectiveness of barberry treatment of malignant cancer diseases
• tea eliminates headaches, improves mood, acts as a good anti-stress remedy

Specific substances in the composition may cause an allergic reaction.

Tasty and healthy fruits will improve the health of the whole family, and homemade seasoning from dried berries will give new dishes a refined and unusual taste.

The plant is included in the list of components that promote healthy longevity.

Planting barberry in your garden is something even a novice gardener can do. Minimal care for most varieties will not cause any trouble and will not take much time. The picturesque coloring of the shrub will delight you with its appearance all year round.

Watch a short video about simple rules for planting a candy plant: