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Barberry Red Pillar (Berberis thunbergii Red Pillar) is a columnar shrub used for ornamental purposes. Thunberg barberry is found naturally in the mountainous regions of Japan and China. Its varieties appeared in Russia around the 50s of the last century.
Description of barberry Red Pillar
The height of the columnar shrub of the Thunberg barberry of the Red Pillar variety is no more than 1.5 m, the crown diameter is 0.5 m. The shoots are strong, straight, as the Red Pillar barberry develops, it acquires a spreading crown, falling apart on the sides. The annual growth is insignificant. The Thunberg barberry is densely studded, therefore, when working with it, accuracy is required. The thorns are small, but rather sharp.
The leaves of this variety of barberry are red-purple, which corresponds to the name Red Pillar, inside the bush are darker with a greenish tint. In the autumn months, the color of the leaves changes, the shrub with an orange-red crown becomes bright, elegant.
The shade of the foliage of the Red Pillar barberry varies with the season and the availability of sunlight. In shaded areas, the foliage loses its brightness and turns green. Therefore, decorative varieties of the Thunberg barberry, which have red or yellow foliage, are grown in well-lit areas.
The beginning of flowering of the Thunberg barberry of this variety depends on the growing region and falls on the end of May - beginning of June. Flowers on the Red Pillar variety are single or collected in small clusters (up to 6 pcs.) Of yellow color, a reddish tint is noticeable from the outside.
Ripening of the fruits of the Thunberg barberry occurs in the autumn months. Ellipsoidal fruits turn red in September-October. This gives the Red Pillar shrub extra beauty.
Barberry Thunberg Red Pillar (shown in the photo) is recommended to be grown in regions with a temperate climate. The seedlings are frost-resistant, but in the north they can freeze out. In regions with cold winters, it is necessary to cover not only young shrubs, but also mature seedlings of the Thunberg barberry.
a brief description of
Before planting your favorite shrub variety, you need to familiarize yourself with the description of each of them, for example, the Thunberg Red Pillar barberry is used only for decorative purposes, and its fruits are unsuitable for food. Recommendations for the care and reproduction of the Red Pillar variety Thunberg barberry will help create a beautiful design in the garden.
Winter hardiness, drought resistance
Barberry Thunberg belongs to varieties with good frost resistance. Red Pillar normally tolerates frosts down to -15 ÷ -20 ° C, in regions with colder winters it can be grown provided that the bushes are covered with insulating materials.
The variety belongs to drought-resistant shrubs, in an open sunny area it acquires a bright color of foliage. Only young seedlings are watered weekly to speed up the rooting process. Adult shrubs of this variety are allowed to be watered 3-4 times per season.
Productivity and fruiting
The yield indicator for the Thunberg barberry does not play a big role. The bushes of this variety are decorative, therefore they are planted in order to create a beautiful landscape. Fruit ripening occurs in the autumn months: September, October. The taste of the fruit is bitter, so they are not used for food. Birds enjoy the harvest of berries. The fruits do not fall off all winter.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety is highly resistant to diseases and pests. From insects, moth and aphids can pose a threat, and from diseases - powdery mildew. Red Pillar shows good resistance to rust.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Each variety has its own pros and cons. Barberry Thunberg Red Pillar is distinguished by its beautiful appearance, columnar shape and bright fruits. The main positive qualities of the variety:
- decorativeness. The appearance of the shrub changes depending on the season, the color of the foliage in summer and autumn differs. During the period of fruit ripening, the bush becomes even more elegant and brighter;
- undemanding to the soil;
- drought resistance;
- frost resistance, in regions with a temperate climate, shelter for the winter is not required.
Among the disadvantages are the following:
- the presence of small but sharp thorns;
- loss of columnar shape in an adult plant. The shoots of this variety of barberry begin to decay with age and the appearance changes;
- freezing of young shoots during severe frosts in winter, therefore, in regions with low temperatures, shrubs need shelter.
Breeding methods
Barberry Thunberg varieties Red Pillar can be propagated in several ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
Seed propagation technology consists in performing the following points:
- in autumn, fully ripe fruits are harvested from the branches. Do this before the onset of frost;
- the seeds are separated from the pulp, washed in water and placed in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. Then the seeds are dried and stored in a cool, dark place until next fall;
- in September, the bones are laid out in pre-prepared pits on the site. The seeds are deepened by no more than 1 cm, covered with soil;
- in the spring, the seedbed is examined and thinned out; there should be at least 3 cm between adjacent shoots;
- shoots grow in the garden for two years, then shrubs are transplanted to a permanent place.
Cuttings are performed as follows:
- cuttings are cut from an adult shrub, their length should be 10-15 cm;
- the lower leaves are removed, and the upper ones are shortened with scissors;
- cuttings are placed in a solution that promotes root formation - Epin, Kornevin, etc.;
- cuttings are planted in boxes with nutrient soil and transferred to greenhouse conditions;
- so that the shoots do not suffer from mold and other fungal diseases, the greenhouse is ventilated.
The layering method for the Red Pillar barberry variety is shown in the photo.
To propagate a bush by dividing, an adult plant at the age of 4–5 years is dug out of the ground, the root is divided with a pruner, the wounds are covered with a special solution and the resulting bushes are transplanted into prepared pits.
Planting and care rules
Barberry Thunberg Red Pillar refers to light-loving plants, so shady areas are not suitable for growing. The best option is the southern part of the territory, a slight partial shade is allowed.
Planting dates are individual and depend on the climatic conditions of the region. In spring, planting is carried out after the ground has thawed and warmed up to +8 ºC, and there is no threat of return frosts. If the shrubs will not be grown in the form of a hedge, then at least 1.5 m is left between the neighboring seedlings of the Thunberg Red Pillar barberry.To form a single-row hedge, 4 copies are planted per 1 line m, for a double-row - 5 pcs. For a single-row hedge, a trench is dug, and for a two-row hedge, holes are staggered.
Seedlings of Thunberg barberry of this variety are undemanding to the quality of the soil, but with excessive acidification of the soil, 200 g of wood ash or 400 g of lime are added per linear meter.
The seat is prepared in advance:
- The pit should be approximately 40 cm deep and 50 cm in diameter.
- If the soil is clay, the hole is further deepened by 10 cm and covered with a layer of pebbles or rubble. This layer will serve as drainage.
- A nutrient mixture is poured into the pit, consisting of 1 part of humus, 1 part of sod land. Add 100 g of superphosphate and sprinkle with earth.
- The roots of the seedling are spread over a mound of earth inside the hole, covered with earth from above, tamping tightly.
- It is impossible to cover the root collar with earth, it must be at the level of the soil.
- 4–5 buds are left on the plant, the excess length of the shoot is cut off with a sharp secateurs.
- Barberry is watered.
- The trunk circle is mulched with peat or scrap materials.
Follow-up care
Caring for Thunberg Red Pillar barberry seedlings includes watering, feeding, insect protection, shelter for the winter and pruning. Without these measures, the bush will lose its decorative effect and may die from drought or frost.
Pruning
Pruning of ornamental shrubs is carried out in order to shape and remove frozen, broken, damaged shoots. Formative pruning is carried out in the autumn, sanitary in spring and autumn - as damaged branches are identified.
Watering
Barberry Thunberg Red Pillar variety does not need frequent watering. In severe drought, the earth is moistened with warm water, which is brought under the root of the plant. After watering, the soil is loosened and mulched.
Top dressing
Barberry can be fed with nitrogen fertilizers no more than once every 3 years. Fertilizers are applied in the spring. Add 25 g of urea to 1 liter of warm water.
Complex products can be used before flowering. In the fall, a solution consisting of 10 g of potassium and phosphate fertilizers is introduced under each bush.
It is recommended to use a diluted infusion of mullein or bird droppings as fertilizers. For shrubs of the Thunberg barberry, fertilizing from compost and humus is useful.
Protection against rodents, pests, diseases
In the fall, after mulching the soil with sawdust, spruce branches are laid out around the shrub, it will protect against rodent invasions.
In the spring, to protect Red Pillar seedlings from aphids, they are sprayed with soap (1 bar of laundry soap) or tobacco (400 g of makhorka) solution (10 l of water).
From the invasion of the moth, barberry bushes of the Red Pillar variety are treated with special preparations, for example, Decis.
Fungal diseases (powdery mildew) require the treatment of the shrub with a solution of colloidal sulfur. If the shoots are severely affected, they are pruned and burned.
Preparing for winter
For the first three years, barberry seedlings of this variety must be covered for the winter. In the northern regions, even adult Thunberg barberry bushes must be wrapped with insulation so that young shoots do not suffer from frost. Burlap, lutrasil, spunbond are used for strapping. From above, the resulting cocoon is tied with ropes. For protection from snow and wind, a wooden frame can be installed.
Conclusion
Barberry Red Pillar is an ornamental shrub used in landscape design. It is planted as hedges and is also used in group compositions. It goes well with herbaceous and coniferous seedlings.
