Content
Modern home garden decor is complemented by unique plants that are grown at home. The photo and description of Erecta barberry fully corresponds to the geometric grace of the lines of the bush in real life. For a summer cottage, the plant is unpretentious and perfectly emphasizes the vertical composition of garden design. The strict lines and compactness of the plant attract amateur gardeners, agronomists, and landscape designers.
Description of Barberry Erecta
A plant from the Barberry family. Japan and China are considered to be the birthplace of this variety. The shrub grows in a columnar manner and has an original shape. The advantage among its relatives is the change in color of the leaves throughout the entire period of growth and flowering of the shrub. Thunberg has analogues in the form of the Harlequin and Red Chief varieties.
Erecta reaches a height of 1.5-2 m, the diameter of the bush is about 1 m. The foliage is bright green; closer to autumn, the color changes to bright orange or red. In the first year, the plant grows 10-15 cm. The growth of the shrub depends on the availability of nutrients in the soil.Barberry Thunberg Erecta blooms from May to June with numerous bright yellow flowers, which are collected in small racemose inflorescences.
The barberry variety Thunberg Erecta grows well in sun and partial shade. The plant grows in soil with any acidity and is resistant to frost and drought. For good growth, moderately moist soil is desirable. After flowering, the bushes are strewn with bright red fruits. The harvest ripens in September, the berries do not fall until frost. The fruits can be eaten dried. The shrub is easy to trim and takes the desired shape as it grows.
Barberry Erecta in garden design
With the presence of columnar barberry bushes, the landscape design of the garden takes on a complete look. The number of shades is constantly growing due to the crossing of varieties. Evergreen bushes highlight a minimalist landscape, and planting bushes in a row visually expands the garden. The plant combines well with other low-growing shrubs. In a flower bed, Thunberg Erecta barberry occupies a dominant position due to color and size, so it is not recommended to plant more than 3 bushes in one flower bed.
Prickly varieties are planted along the perimeter of the fence, which provides additional protection from rodents. The Erecta variety has a memorable color, so its presence in a garden with an oriental theme will not be out of place. Also, excessive planting of barberry in the garden will make it look busy. A plant with changing colors is used to level the landscape in the form of individual or group plantings.
For the northern regions of Russia, agronomists have developed frost-resistant varieties that also tolerate high soil moisture:
- Korean;
- entire;
- Ottawa.
In other regions, I use the classic and above-mentioned barberry varieties for landscape design. There are also options for design projects where the landscape is completely covered with bushes of the Thunberg Erecta variety.
Planting and caring for barberry Thunberg Erecta
The time for planting barberry depends on what the owner of the plant is planting. Erecta shrub seedlings are best planted in spring; seeds should be sown in early autumn. During the fall, the seeds adapt to the climate and will withstand frost well. The soil for planting must be disinfected and mixed with compost or manure fertilizers.
High acidity of the soil is reduced by adding lime or clay. Lack of acidity does not affect plant growth in any way.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
For planting, Thunberg Erecta seedlings must be at least 5-7 cm tall. With such parameters, the plant already has a strong root system, which allows the plant to be planted both in autumn and early spring. Before planting, barberry is inspected for damage, dents on the stems, and withered or rusty leaves. It is necessary to immediately dispose of diseased seedlings, as infection of the remaining bushes may occur. Seedlings in the photo of Erecta barberry:
Also, seedlings are watered with a growth stimulator 2-3 days before planting. In this case, the plant will grow well even without any fertilizer in the soil. The planting area should be well lit by the sun or have partial shade. Planting in a sunny place should be accompanied by timely watering.The shrub is planted as single seedlings at a distance of 1 to 2 m. The area is cleared of weed, dig up at the level of a bayonet shovel.
Landing rules
Before planting, the soil is mixed with sand, compost and humus. The soil should be loose, but not soft. Barberry is planted in single holes, which are dug 15 cm deep. Fine gravel is poured onto the bottom, so the roots will have more space to grow. The seedlings can be cleared from the ground or planted together with the soil in which the Thunberg Erecta barberry grew.
Watering and fertilizing
The first watering is done immediately after planting. Barberry Thunberg Erecta does not tolerate highly moist soil, so watering is carried out once every 3-4 days. The first year, watering should be timely, although it is better to monitor the state of soil moisture and water only when it is really necessary.
Feeding is done with microelements in the first year of life. In subsequent years, nitrogen fertilizers are added for good growth. In early spring, feed with superphosphates. Erecta will survive the winter with little damage if potassium or a urea solution is added to the soil.
Trimming
Primary pruning is done in late autumn: damaged and dry shoots are removed. Dry branches of Thunberg Erecta are characteristically light brown in color. After two years of growth, Erecta barberry is thinned out. With the onset of spring, old shoots are pruned at a level of 3-4 cm from the base of the roots. It is easier to prune on a hedge because the shoots of the plant are directed upward.
Preparing for winter
Judging by the description, the barberry variety Thunberg Erecta is a winter-hardy plant, but the shrub is prepared for winter like an ordinary tree. As soon as the air temperature drops to -3-5 °C, the barberry is covered with spruce branches, tarpaulin or wrapped in cloth. Some gardeners cut the bushes completely and sprinkle them with dry sawdust or leaves. Bare branches are also collected into a bundle and tied with a rope, then wrapped in thick cloth. Outside, the base of the bushes is covered with spruce branches. With the onset of spring, the coverings are removed, pruning is carried out 3-4 days after removing the covering. This is how barberry quickly gets used to the climate.
Reproduction
Varieties of barberry Thunberg Erecta are propagated by:
- seeds, which are contained in berries;
- young cuttings, which remain after winter pruning;
- rooted shoots;
- dividing the bushes when planting.
The seeds are collected in late autumn, dried and planted in single pots. This is how the plant grows until spring. The seeds are planted to a depth of 3-4 cm. After pruning, the cuttings are placed in water until the first roots appear. Barberry cuttings are planted in moist soil. A hole is dug above the roots, into which a branch or cut cutting is inserted. Next, sprinkle with soil and water once every 3-5 days. The accepted branch becomes strong and grows parallel to the rest of the stems of Erecta barberry. The shrub is divided when transplanted to a new location. One bush can be divided into 3-4 parts, but it is necessary to ensure the integrity of the barberry root system.
Diseases and pests
Barberry Thunberg Erecta is susceptible to leaf rust disease. After planting, the plant is treated with a solution of diluted potassium permanganate or chemicals. Powdery mildew affects the plant, so at the first signs of the disease the bush is completely destroyed.For powdery mildew, the plant is treated with a diluted sulfur solution.
Barberry is often attacked by aphids. In early spring and summer, Thunberg Erecta bushes are sprayed with tobacco dust.
Conclusion
Photos and descriptions of Erecta barberry do not fully convey the perfection of this plant. The shrub is unpretentious to care; seedlings cost gardeners a minimal price. Erecta shrubs are often planted to level the landscape design. Barberry creates balance in a combination of plants of different heights and colors.
