Berberis x Ottawensis f purpurea Superba

27.06.2023 - 08:40 / aberdeengardening.co.uk

The Berberis Ottawensis Superba which was in the front garden of our Aberdeen house made a bold statement.

Previously I just let it grow to its own devices, when it reached nine feet tall I decided to shape it up. I know the majority of gardeners may prefer this shrub in its natural form, for the front garden I think it suits the trimmed look.

 This variety of Berberis is rather vigorous and would make an ideal barrier to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access to your property, the spiky stems are lethal.

The leaves of this deciduous shrub start to open in early Spring followed with clusters of small yellow flowers.  If you decide not to keep trimming it like I do, you will be rewarded with clusters of red berries in Autumn.

To keep it in this more formal appearance I had to trim it several times throughout the Summer.

It did have a tendency to have an unsightly powdery mildew at times, never did the plant any harm and it may well have been caused with my continual shaping up of it.

•Hardiness *** Fully hardy

•Height *** 270cm/9ft

•Mail order

Plant given the RHS Award of garden merit

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 Another Berberis (barberry) that found a place in our Aberdeen garden was, (Berberis Thunbergii Harlequin) an ideal deciduous shrub for adding contrast to the numerous shades of green in the garden border.

This variety has beautiful purple foliage marbled with pink,cream and white, also carries red berries in late Summer early Autumn.

Don’t position Harlequin at the very back of the border, chances are it will struggle to reach four feet in height.

Although very ornamental, beware of the sharp thorns. This Berberis will grow in partial shade, however, colours up best of all in full sun.

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