Barberry Erekta - planting and care, description
Content:
A variety of barberries allows you to choose any one to decorate the site. Thunberg varieties (berberis thunbergii) are distinguished by their decorative appearance and versatility, therefore they are often used by landscape designers. Barberry Erekta is one of the most popular varieties, which is distinguished by its excellent decorative appearance and unpretentiousness.
Description of barberry Erecta
Barberry Thunberg Erekta (there is an erroneous spelling - barberry Electra) is a shrub with green leaves, reaching a height of 1.5 meters. Shoots branch slightly, there are few thorns. In the spring, it has a large amount of foliage. Flowering occurs in summer, on the bush inflorescences are formed in the form of tassels. The petals are reddish yellow. The aroma is very pleasant, quite bright.
Barbaris Erecta is distinguished by its decorative appearance
In early autumn, bright coral fruits are formed on the bush. By the same period, the color of the leaf plates changes to a red-orange hue.
Planting a plant
You can plant barberry with seeds. It is only important to take into account that the bushes do not grow quickly, so a large plant can be obtained only after a few years.
Planting from seeds
Planting Erecta barberry with seeds is best done in late autumn. Seeds are extracted from the fruits, dried. After that, it is recommended to rinse them under water and treat them with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Sowing is carried out on a separate bed in loose soil to a depth of no more than 3 cm. During the winter period, the seeds will undergo natural stratification and sprout in the spring.
Planting seedlings in open ground
At home, seeds can be planted in containers with prepared soil from January to May. They are covered with foil or glass, the necessary lighting and humidity are maintained. When the first shoots appear, the shelter can be removed. It is important to monitor the seedlings, water on time, and supplement lighting if necessary.
It is better to buy young seedlings with closed roots.
How to care for Erecta barberry
Planting and caring for the Thunberg Erect barberry does not take much time. However, there are certain conditions that must be met.
Watering
The first watering is carried out immediately after planting the shrub in a permanent place. In the future, the barberry is watered as needed. This variety tolerates drought better than excess moisture. If there is no rain, watering can be done twice a week. In wet weather, irrigation is stopped.
Top dressing
Barberry erecta responds well to different feeding. When planting, humus is added to the hole. This will be enough for the first year. In the second year, the bushes are fertilized with a urea solution or other nitrogenous fertilizers. Complex fertilizers are applied at least three times a season; in summer, granular preparations can be used for this purpose.
Pruning
The first pruning is carried out in the second year of the plant's life.Old and dried branches are removed from the bush to ensure further development of the barberry. In some cases, a fairly large number of shoots have to be removed.
The first time the bush is cut in the autumn, if necessary, the procedure is repeated. In the springtime, it is recommended to remove all the shoots that have suffered during the winter. Old branches are cut, leaving only 3 cm above the ground.
By autumn, the leaves on the bushes turn red
Reproduction methods
Erecta barberry can be propagated in several ways:
- Seeds. The method takes a long time and is not very popular.
- Cuttings. At the beginning of summer, cuttings are cut off from the shoots, they are planted in a greenhouse for rooting. New plants are transplanted to a suitable location after the leaves appear.
- Layers. A small hole up to 20 cm deep is dug near the roots, branches (which are less than a year old) are placed in it. They are sprinkled with earth, leaving a small tip, and watered regularly. In the fall, shoots can be transplanted to a new location.
- By division. The rhizome of an adult bush is divided into several parts, so that each one has strong shoots. They are planted in a permanent place.
Transfer
Barberry Erekta can grow for a long time without a transplant. It is transplanted to a new place by transshipment along with a lump of earth. At first, it is important to closely monitor the condition of the plant.
Diseases and pests
The Erekta variety has a fairly strong immune system, but the culture is often affected by harmful insects, which can lead to its death. The most dangerous for this species of barberry is aphid. In order to prevent damage, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying with special preparations. Barberry can also suffer from the flower moth.
Of the diseases, fungi, for example, powdery mildew, are dangerous for barberry. Only fungicidal preparations, which can be purchased in specialized stores, will help get rid of diseases.
Flowering period
Flowers on the bush begin to appear in the summer. They smell great, differ in different colors. Outside, the petals are red, inside - yellow. Flowering continues until autumn, after which the formation of fruits begins.
Barberry Erecta is often used in landscape design
Preparing for winter
Barberry Erekta tolerates the winter period quite well, it is highly resistant to frost. However, the plant should be prepared for the cold season. To do this, the bushes are covered with spruce branches, a dense cloth or tarpaulin. If desired, you can almost completely cut off the branches and cover the culture with foliage and sawdust.
Use in landscape design
Barberry Erekta is popular with landscape designers for its pillar-like appearance. The plant can be used alone or together with other flowers and shrubs. If desired, a hedge is formed from the bushes, which, due to the dense crown, is used to protect against rodents.
Beneficial features
Erekta barberry, like many other representatives of this plant, has useful properties. You can pick berries after ripening, dry them, and then eat them, adding them to various dishes.
Barberry Erekta is a beautiful and unpretentious plant that will be an excellent decoration for any garden. If you devote a little time to the shrub, it will delight you with flowering and abundant fruiting, as well as an excellent decorative look.
