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Plants of the barberry family are used not only as fruit shrubs, but also to decorate their summer cottage. Barberry Ruby Star and Golden Ruby are fast-growing shrubs, the fruits of which are practically unsuitable for food. However, these plants look spectacular in the most modest garden - they have bright enough leaves that are able to change the color scheme depending on the season.
Planting and caring for barberry Ruby Star and Golden Ruby does not require special rules. Plants tolerate frost painlessly and prolonged lack of moisture. Suitable for landing in almost any region. Having familiarized yourself with the nuances of the choice of planting material and the rules for performing fertilizing, caring for the plants will be enjoyable.
Description of barberry Ruby Star
Barberry Ruby Star is a deciduous shrub of the barberry family. This species was bred by Polish breeders in 2015. Ruby Star is a decorative variety, the fruits are practically not eaten.
Barberry Ruby Star grows up to 50 cm in height. The plant has a rounded crown with orange-red shoots. Branches may darken over time, depending on weather conditions. Barberry Ruby Star has small thorns, so this type of pruning is performed in protective gloves.
Ruby Star leaves are small, oval in shape, up to 3 cm in length. The top of each leaf is slightly rounded, the color is bright red.
Barberry flowers are yellow, gather in neat brushes. They have a rich sweet aroma. Flowering period - May, duration - 2 weeks.
The berries are red, oblong in shape. The maximum fruit length is 0.8 cm.
Barberry of this variety tolerates strong frosts well. Mature plants are capable of withstanding even the harshest winters.
Description of barberry Golden Ruby
Barberry Thunberg Golden Ruby grows as a compact spherical shrub. Plant height can reach 40 cm. This variety is valued for its color variability, which depends on the season. In the spring, the plant becomes coral orange in color. In summer, the leaves take on a rich burgundy shade with a golden border. Closer to autumn, the barberry becomes a brick shade. Flowers bloom in late April - early May.
The plant grows well in sunny areas, capable of withstanding prolonged drought. In the shade of Golden Ruby it develops poorly, the color of the leaves becomes dull. Barberry of this variety has high frost resistance and is well adapted to urban conditions.
Planting and caring for barberry Ruby Star and Golden Ruby
These varieties of barberry do not require a specific type of soil for planting. The bushes are not afraid of windy areas, they tolerate the lack of watering well, but they do not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil. Ornamental plants love sunlight and can grow in slightly shaded areas.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
Before you start planting, you need to choose the right place. The best option for planting ornamental bushes would be a sunny area, well protected from drafts.
Particular attention should be paid to the presence of groundwater in the soil. The area should not be swampy; it is better to plant it on a hill.Light, slightly loosened soil is suitable for barberry, acidity is at a neutral level. Liming should be done in acidic soils. And when planting in loamy soils or black soil, lay drainage stones on the bottom of the planting pit.
Prepare a pit before planting. The size of the planting hole depends on the size of the seedlings. If the bush is younger than 2 years of age, the hole is made 30 cm deep. More mature bushes are planted in pits with a depth of at least 60 cm. After preparation, the holes are filled with humus, sand and loose earth. All components are taken in equal proportions.
A few hours before planting, the root is placed in a growth stimulator. It is worth paying attention that the root system of the planting material is not damaged. Otherwise, the plant will not take root.
Landing rules
A young plant is planted in the spring. It is very important to have time to plant a bush until the buds have blossomed, and the soil has warmed up well. If it is not possible to plant the plant in the spring, you can do it closer to autumn. They are planted at a time when the foliage begins to fall off the barberry.
Algorithm for planting barberry Ruby Star:
- Dig deep holes.
- Lay out drainage stones, add top dressing: humus, sand, turf soil.
- Lay the bush in the prepared hole, sprinkle the root with earth.
- Water well, mulch.
At first, it is not recommended to water the barberry and make additional fertilizing. Watering is started in drought, and fertilization - 3 years after planting.
Watering and feeding
Watering is carried out as needed. The shrub needs moisture during a prolonged drought. After watering, the land around the bush is loosened and mulched with peat. Thus, moisture will remain in the soil for a longer time, the root system will receive more oxygen.
It is necessary to feed the Thunberg Ruby Star barberry only for 3 years after planting. When the plant gets stronger, you can start adding nutrients:
- The first feeding is done with the addition of mullein.
- Before flowering, nutritious granular dressings are applied.
- In autumn, barberry is fed with potassium and superphosphate.
Pruning
Ruby Star barberry pruning is performed in protective gloves. Due to the huge number of thorns on the shoots, this event is best done with long-handled scissors.
Since these varieties of barberry are undersized, shrubs do not require special pruning. An annual preventive branch removal is sufficient. Dry and frozen shoots are subject to pruning.
You can complete this event in the fall. Closer to September, old shoots are cut off on the bushes. Such pruning will be a good prevention against diseases and insect pests.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that the Ruby Star and Golden Ruby varieties tolerate low temperatures well, shrubs need shelter. The purpose of this event is to protect branches from freezing and moisture abundance. Barberry is insulated when the temperature drops to -6 degrees. To do this, sprinkle the root collar with a 10 cm layer of earth. If the weather is snowy, you can sprinkle the shrubs with snow. The upper part is covered with burlap.
Reproduction
Barberry Ruby Star and Golden Ruby can reproduce in almost any way. The planted shoots take root well, practically do not require special care.
Shrub propagation methods:
- cuttings. To perform this method, a young strong stalk is separated and planted in a prepared flowerpot. When the Ruby Star barberry takes root, you can start transplanting to a permanent place;
- by dividing the bush. Used for reproduction of adult shrubs. The bush is divided into several parts and planted in a prepared planting pit;
- green layering. To perform the event, it is necessary to determine a strong branch and press it tightly to the ground, water well. Soon the branch will take root and take root;
- seeds. For reproduction by this method, seeds are harvested in autumn and dried. The next year they land. However, reproduction in this way is more troublesome, the bush develops for a long time.
For any of the breeding methods, adult shrubs 4-5 years old are better suited.
Diseases and pests
Barberry Ruby Star has an average susceptibility to diseases and insects. The shrub is susceptible to damage by the barberry aphid, sawfly, moth. In the fight against these pests, special tools help well. However, in order to prevent damage to ornamental shrubs, it is important to carry out preventive pruning of shoots, to make nutritious feeding once every few years.
Conclusion
Barberry Ruby Star and Golden Ruby are ornamental shrubs that are widely used to decorate the garden or local area. With the right choice of a seedling and planting in accordance with all the recommendations, mistakes and hassle in care can be avoided. Having planted Ruby Star barberry in a sunny corner of the site, you can observe the change in the bright color of ornamental bushes.
