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Ornamental shrubs can decorate even the most modest garden area. Barberry Superba is a fast-growing perennial, which not only has tasty fruits, but has a rather attractive appearance.
Every gardener dreams of planting barberry bushes, because bright plants are able to create a colorful landscape composition in any garden. Knowing the nuances of planting and the rules for placing shrubs on the site, you can facilitate the care of plants.
Description of barberry Superba
Barberry Superba grows as a large, spreading shrub. The plant reaches its final size in 9 years. Barberry bushes are used for group plantings, they often practice single planting on the site. The flowering period of a perennial plant is May-June.
The flowers of the Superba barberry with a pleasant smell are collected in neat racemose buds. There are up to 10 pieces per brush. The color of the flowers is yellow with a reddish tint, length - 4 cm.
The crown is large and spreading, forming long growths over the years. At the beginning of growth, the branches are directed upward, over time they stretch in wide arcs. The plant forms many branches with sharp thorns.
The foliage of the Superba variety is rounded, up to 4 cm long. The color of the green mass is purple-violet, in summer with a grayish tint. Most of the leaves turn red in the spring.
Berries of barberry Superba are elongated, deep red in color, located on lowered branches. Sour to taste, have a fairly pronounced aroma.
Barberry Thunberg Superba in landscape design
Barberry Thunberg Superba is quite popular in landscape design. Today there are more than 45 species of fruit bushes. This variety has good immunity to various diseases, unfortunately, it can hardly tolerate severe frosts.
Almost all varieties are used in landscape design. Barberry Thunberg looks good both in single and in group planting of shrubs. It is planted near curbs and alpine hills. Thorny shrubs are used as a decorative hedge, which looks original in the garden area. In the photo you can see how the Superba barberry looks in the design of the local area.
Planting and caring for barberry Superba
Perennial shrub does not require special planting conditions. Slightly acidic and alkaline soils are more suitable for the plant. Barberry of this variety tolerates a sharp change in weather conditions, is not afraid of a long absence of watering.
Maintenance measures are standard: regular pruning and preventive spraying against insect pests.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
For the plant to form beautiful and long branches, it is important to prepare the right soil. The Superba variety is often planted in a pre-prepared soil mixture:
- humus;
- sod soil;
- sand.
All components are mixed in equal proportions.
If the planting is carried out in acidic soil, liming is necessary. For 1 plant take 35 g of slaked lime.
It will be important to prepare the seedling for planting. Before the procedure, the root is dipped into a growth stimulator. You can buy this tool at any garden store.
If the planting material is purchased on the market, you should carefully examine it. The seedling should not be damaged, the root system should not be overdried.
When self-harvesting material for planting, take the shoots of a perennial shrub with a strong, well-developed root system.
Planting barberry Superba
Superba bushes love well-lit places. In them, the plant will have bright colors. If the barberry is supposed to be planted in a single planting, it is recommended to make holes 60 by 60 cm in size.When group planting, the minimum distance between the bushes should be at least 40 cm.
Algorithm for planting barberry Superba:
- Dig deep holes.
- Place drainage stones or sawdust on the bottom.
- Apply top dressing: peat, humus.
- Lower the young seedling into the hole so that 2 cm of the root collar is above ground level.
- Provide abundant moisture to the plantings.
- Loose the soil.
Watering and feeding
Perennial Superba practically does not require special feeding rules. They are brought under the bushes 1 year after planting. Urea is used for the first feeding. All subsequent fertilization is performed once every 4-5 years.
It should be noted that the shrub practically does not require watering. Often young shoots with a poorly developed root system need moisture. There will be enough rainy weather in the summer. However, with prolonged drought, the shrubs should be provided with the necessary amount of liquid.
Pruning
Cut the bush in early spring. This event is the prevention of many diseases. Old, frozen and damaged shoots are subject to removal. It is not recommended to form a plant if there are many internodes on the bushes.
It is worth noting that shoots that have stopped growing are also subject to removal. Old plants in the spring must also be thinned out.
The first preventive pruning is carried out 2 years after planting. During this period, the lower shoots are cut. Further pruning is performed 2 times a year: the first in the summer, the second in early autumn.
Preparing for winter
Young bushes under 3 years old need preparation for winter. In the first years of life, it is necessary to cover the plantings with spruce branches. Further preparation for freezing implies preventive pruning the day before.
Reproduction
You can propagate the Superba barberry bush in 3 ways. The plant almost always takes root well. Each summer resident chooses a more convenient method of plant propagation.
Breeding methods:
- by dividing the bush. To perform this method, a young shoot is separated together with the root and planted in a previously prepared soil;
- green layering. A good and strong shoot is determined on the bush, which is pressed tightly to the ground and covered with sleep. The plant is watered abundantly until the branch gives a root;
- with a handle. This method is easy to use. It is enough to find young strong shoots on the bush, which must be cut off with a knife. Shoots are planted in prepared flowerpots, watered well. After the plant develops a strong root system, they are transplanted into the ground.
Diseases and pests
Barberry Superba is susceptible to barberry aphids and powdery mildew. To prevent the disease of the bushes, it is important to carry out preventive pruning and processing with special means. With proper care, the plant is able to develop good immunity, which will help to avoid problems in the care.
In case of illness, you should purchase special preparations in a garden store and make a medicinal spraying. To combat aphids use a 0.2% solution of "Fitoverma", when barberry is affected by powdery mildew, use "Fundazol". Bordeaux mixture is used to treat rust.
Conclusion
Barberry Superba is an ornamental fruit shrub that is used for planting and landscape design. Group and singly planted bushes can create an interesting composition in any area. Bright perennial shrubs with fragrant fruits become a decoration of any garden. They practically do not require maintenance and special planting rules, Superba barberry is the choice of those who love a beautifully decorated garden without costs and additional hassle.
