Content
The modern home garden decor is complemented by unique home-bred plants. Photo and description of barberry Erekta 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 severity of the lines and the compactness of the plant attract amateur gardeners, agronomists, as well as landscape designers.
Description of barberry Erect
A plant from the Barberry family. Japan and China are considered to be the homeland of this variety. The shrub grows in a columnar manner, has an original shape. The advantage among relatives is a change in the color of the leaves during the entire period of growth and flowering of the shrub. Thunberg has analogues in the form of Harlequin and Red Chief varieties.
In growth, Erecta reaches 1.5-2 m, the diameter of the shrub 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. The barberry of Thunberg Erekta blooms from May to June with bright yellow numerous flowers, which are collected in racemose inflorescences of small size.
Barberry variety Thunberg Erekta grows well in the sun and in partial shade. The plant grows on soil with any acidity, resistant to frost and drought. Moderately moist soil is desirable for good growth. After flowering, the bushes are strewn with bright red fruits. The harvest ripens in September, the berries are not sprinkled until the very frost. The fruits can be eaten dried. The shrub is easy to cut and takes on the desired shape as it grows.
Barberry Erecta in garden design
With the presence of columnar barberry bushes, the landscape design of the garden acquires the completeness of the image. The number of shades is constantly growing due to the crossing of varieties. Evergreen shrubs accentuate the minimalist landscape, and planting shrubs in a row visually expands the garden. The plant goes well with other low-growing shrubs. In a flower bed with flowers, the Thunberg Erekta barberry occupies a dominant position because of its color and size, therefore, planting more than 3 bushes is not recommended for one flower bed.
Thorny varieties are planted around the perimeter of the fence, which provides additional protection from rodents. The Erekta variety has a memorable color, so its presence in a garden with an oriental theme will not be superfluous. Also, over-planting barberries in the garden will make it look busy. A plant with a changing color is used to level the landscape in the form of a piece or group planting.
For the northern regions of Russia, agronomists have developed frost-resistant varieties that also tolerate high soil moisture well:
- Korean;
- all-edge;
- Ottawa.
In other regions, for landscape design, I use the classic and above-mentioned varieties of barberry. There are also options for design projects where the landscape is completely covered with bushes of the Thunberg Erekta variety.
Planting and caring for barberry Thunberg Erekt
The planting time of barberry depends on what the owner of the plant is planting. It is better to plant the seedlings of the Erecta shrub in the spring; it is necessary to sow seeds in early autumn. During the fall, the seeds adapt to the climate and tolerate frost well.The soil for planting must be disinfected, have compost or manure fertilizer in it.
The high acidity of the soil is reduced by an admixture of lime or clay. The lack of acidity does not affect the growth of the plant in any way.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
Seedlings of Thunberg Erecta for planting in growth should be at least 5-7 cm. 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, the barberry is inspected for damage, dents on the stems, dead or rusty leaves. It is necessary to immediately dispose of diseased seedlings, as infection of the remaining bushes may occur. Saplings in the photo of barberry Erecta:
Also, seedlings are watered with a growth stimulant 2-3 days before planting. In this case, the plant will grow well even without admixture of fertilizers in the soil. The site for planting should be well lit by the sun or have partial shade. Planting in a sunny location should be accompanied by timely watering. The shrub is planted with single seedlings at a distance of 1 to 2 m. weeds, dug 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. The barberry is planted in single holes, which are dug 15 cm deep. Fine gravel is poured at the bottom, so the roots will get more space for growth. Seedlings can be cleared of the ground or planted together with the soil in which the Thunberg Erekt barberry grew.
Watering and feeding
The first watering is done immediately after planting. The barberry of Thunberg Erecta does not tolerate highly moistened soil, therefore watering is carried out 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.
Top dressing is done with microelements in the first year of life. In subsequent years, nitrogen fertilizers are added for good growth. In early spring they are fed with superphosphates. Erekta will survive the winter with little damage if potassium or urea solution is added to the soil.
Pruning
Primary pruning is done in late autumn: damaged and dry shoots are removed. Dry branches of Thunberg Erect are characterized by a light brown 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. On hedges, pruning is easier because the shoots of the plant are upward.
Preparing for winter
Judging by the description, the barberry of the Thunberg Erekta variety is a winter-hardy plant, however, 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. Also, bare branches are collected in a bunch and tied with a rope, then wrapped in a thick cloth. Outside, the base of the bushes is covered with spruce branches. With the onset of spring, the shelters are removed, pruning is done 3-4 days after removing the cover. So barberry quickly gets used to the climate.
Reproduction
Varieties of barberry Thunberg Erecta are propagated by:
- seeds, which are found in berries;
- young cuttings, that remain after winter pruning;
- rooted shoots;
- dividing the shrub when planting.
Seeds are harvested in late autumn, dried and transplanted into single pots. This is how the plant grows until spring. The seeds are planted 3-4 cm deep.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 a trimmed stalk is inserted. Then sprinkle with earth and watered every 3-5 days. The accepted branch becomes strong and grows parallel to the rest of the stems of Erecta barberry. The shrub is shared when transplanted to a new location. One bush can be divided into 3-4 parts, however, it is necessary to monitor the integrity of the barberry root system.
Diseases and pests
Barberry Thunberg Erekta 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, therefore, 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 Erekt 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, the seedlings cost the gardeners a minimum price. Erecta shrubs are often planted to level landscape design. Barberry creates balance in the combination of plants of different heights and colors.
