Wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae) is an evergreen shrub that will grow to 1.2 m tall and 1.8 m wide. It blooms clusters of yellow flowers in spring. Berries ripen to blackish-blue in fall attracting birds and other wildlife. Colorful foliage with leaves changing color from green to burgundy in winter. Requires full sun to partial shade.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Berberis julianae, the wintergreen barberry or Chinese barberry, is a flowering evergreen shrub native to Central China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, and Sichuan). It is widely grown as an ornamental in other temperate regions. It is reportedly naturalized in scattered parts of the United States (Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina and New York State).
The etymological root of the binomial name for Berberis is derived from the Arabic برباريس, the Arabic name for Berberis. Juliana is named after Juliana Schnieder by her husband Camillo Schnieder (1876-1951), an Austrian botanist and landscape architect who explored China.
Berberis julianae is a fast growing, rounded, evergreen shrub with an arching habit. Its dark green evergreen leaves are glossy, narrow, rigid with spiny margins. The leaves are pale green on the underside, its young leaves are copper in colour and before old leaves fall of the plant in autumn/ spring they turn brilliant red. The stems of this shrub contain large spines. The yellow slightly fragrant flowers of the plant are borne in axillary clusters or racemes. The egg shaped fruit is a small black berry.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Berberis julianae prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged soils.
Berberis julianae requires little maintenance. If maintaining as a hedge it should be cut after flowering.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Wintergreen barberry requires ample amounts of sunlight to maintain its brightly colored leaves with a minimum of 6-7 hours of direct sunlight. As it is remarkably tolerant of a variety of conditions, it will grow in partial sun and even under only 80% of full sun. However, when grown in shade, its colorful foliage will turn greenish.
Temperature
Wintergreen barberry handles temperature extremes well, being able to survive temperatures down to -25 ℃. As it is a low feeder, it also doesn’t require much watering. Drainage is an important factor, and in a normally draining soil, you can water your wintergreen barberry only when the top 5 cm of soil go dry.
Watering
During the first growing season, it is best not to water your plant every day (unless the soil drains too quickly). It is healthier to water it when the topsoil gets dry than watering it a little bit every day. When wintergreen barberry is established, it is resistant to drought, and you should water it only during prolonged drought periods. A good way to water is to lay down a hose without too strong a water stream and allow for water to slowly run over the root system.
Soil
Wintergreen barberry prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil (6.0-6.5 pH). It can grow in all soil types (sandy, loamy and clay), but you should add certain amendments. If you are planting in quick-draining soil, mix in some peat moss or compost to improve drainage. Organic compost can also improve the acidity of your soil.
Fertilizing
Wintergreen barberry is a light feeder but will benefit from some additional nutrition. You can apply some slow-release shrub-type fertilizers with higher nitrogen content. If using organic fertilizer like manor, be sure to mix in some with the topsoil. Mulches like wood chips, shredded bark or pine needles will provide additional organic matter as they slowly decompose. About a 5 cm layer of mulch should be applied around the plant, but not next to the trunk as this can promote stem rot.
Planting Instructions
Wintergreen barberry is best grown from a seedling. Dig a hole two times wider and the same depth as the height of the plant’s root ball. If planting in well-drained soil, the upper edge of the root ball should be roughly the same level as the topsoil. If the soil drains too quickly, the root ball will fall inside the hole a bit. In that case, it should be roughly 2.5 cm above the ground level. Upon setting your plant into the planting hole, fill it with the soil, and water generously at the end. It is always smart to add root stimulator to the water after planting, which is easily available at most gardening stores.
Pruning
Wintergreen barberry does not necessarily require pruning, but pruning can significantly increase its vigor. Also, if planting wintergreen barberry as a hedge plant, you should get an early start in properly shaping it. By trimming branches, you can thin the crown to improve ventilation and sunlight. This reduces humidity and the development of leaf pathogens (they thrive more in humid and dark places).
Pruning should be performed in spring to avoid exposing bare and growing tissues to too much moisture during autumn or frost damage during winter. Trim the old and infected branches, and branches that grow outside of the shape you desire. The golden rule is that not to cut away more than 1/3 of its canopy, and all cuts should be on a slight angle facing away from the bud. Always wear gloves when trimming wintergreen barberry. Remember to disinfect your tools at the beginning to minimize the chances of cross-contamination.
Propagation
Semi hardwood cuttings are taken from the current years growth from late summer to mid autumn; the bottom of the cuttings is hard and soft on the top. With a sharp knife take a cutting of about 14cms, remove lowest leaves, dip end into rooting hormone, and place round the edge of a pot filled with a suitable compost, water well, they must remain moist till rooted, place under glass but in semi shade.
Transplanting
Transplanting wintergreen barberry is ideally undertaken during the serene spell between spring and summer (S1-S2), as its root system appreciates the warmth to establish before winter. Place wintergreen barberry in partially shaded spots with well-drained soil. Handle the root ball with care during the process to prevent damage.
III. Uses and Benefits
Perfect for a screening hedge, this Berberis is a great addition to any garden. Suited for all garden types including cottage or informal gardens although most commonly used for colourful security.
Find Where to Buy the Best Wintergreen Barberry (Berberis julianae)
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