Barberry (Berberis georgii)

At a glance

Lifecycle
Perennial (hardy)
Exposure
Full sun
Frost limit
−40 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils. Plants are hardy to about -35°c. This species is a hybrid of unknown origin, probably involving B. vulgaris and is of interest in breeding programmes[K]. This species is probably an alternate host of black-stem rust of wheat. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame. Suckers, removed in late autumn/early winter and planted out in situ or potted up and planted out in late spring.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[K]. A very acid lemon-like flavour, it is nice in small quantities raw. When cooked it can be used in pies, preserves etc[K]. A very good size for a barberry, the fruit is up to 10mm long and 4mm wide[K]. A refreshing lemon-like drink can be made from the fruit.

Medicinal uses

Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery.

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the roots, bark and stem.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild condition.

Native range

A hybrid of uncertain parentage.

Same genus