Barberry (lat. Berberis) is a perennial prickly shrub plant from the barberry family that bears fruit with edible bright red berries. It grows wild mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant reaches an average height of 2-2.5 m. It has spiny shoots and simple serrated leaves. Lives for several decades. It begins to bear fruit in the third or fourth year of life. From one bush you can collect up to 13 kg of berries.
The plant has a number of beneficial properties. The berries are rich in vitamin C. The leaves contain malic acid, vitamins C, E. Oil is extracted from the seeds. The bark and roots are used as a yellow dye.
Did you know? Barberry is grown as an ornamental, medicinal, melliferous and dyeing crop. The berries of this plant are used to make sweets: jelly, caramel, jam, juice, and also as a seasoning.
About 500 species of barberry shrubs are known to exist, including evergreen and deciduous specimens. Of these, 45 varieties of barberry have been introduced in many countries. This article contains helpful information about barberry and a description of the most popular ornamental species and varieties is given.Amur barberry (Berberis amurensis)
Amur barberry grows 3.5 m. It has a widely spreading crown and large foliage - up to 5-8 cm in length, which has different colors depending on the time of year. In spring it is bright green, in autumn it is yellow or red. The shoots of this species are prickly and yellow-gray in color. The plant blooms in May with inflorescences up to 10 cm long, containing 10-25 yellow flowers. It begins to bloom at the age of one year. The fruits appear at the age of four. Barberry bears fruit in the fall - the berries are oblong, red with shine, 1 cm in diameter.
Amur barberry, like most varieties of this crop, is unpretentious, its cultivation is not particularly hassle. It can grow on any soil. Tolerates frost, heat and drought well. Resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew. Moderately resistant to rust and fusarium.
It is preferred to be used for growing tall hedges. It looks beautiful as a solitaire. It also goes well with other plants in group plantings.
The most popular varieties of Amur barberry are Orpheus and Japonica. Orpheus is a compact bush small size(up to 1 m in height), with light leaves. It doesn't bloom. Japonica is beautiful thanks to its wide leaves and long yellow inflorescences, drooping in the form of a brush.
Canadian barberry (Berberis canadensis)
Native North America Canadian barberry is a tall, spreading shrub, reaching a height of 2.5 m and a diameter of 1.6-1.8 m. Its shoots are brown and dark red. The leaves are small, 2-5 cm long, oval. Beginning in May, barberry blooms with yellow inflorescences for a week. Fruits abundantly, with red berries 0.9 cm long. The fruits ripen at the end of September. By appearance“Canadian” is similar to common barberry. 
Did you know? Barberry is also called sorrel, kislyanka, paklun.
“Canadian” likes to grow in sunny areas; in the shade it becomes less decorative. Does not impose special requirements on soil composition. Frost-resistant, tolerates dry periods well.
In the homeland of this variety, the Declinata varieties, with purple shoots and crimson fruits, are especially popular; Oxyphylla, Rederiana, with red branches.
Korean barberry (Berberis koreana)
This species spread from the mountains of the Korean Peninsula. Its bushes are quite tall - they can be over 2 m. The leaves are red. The flowers are fragrant, collected in brushes of 15-20 pieces. The fruits are small, spherical, 1 cm in diameter. The species is drought-resistant. Easily survives the heat. 
The disadvantages of Korean barberry include the fact that in frosty winters its tops freeze, it is susceptible to rust, and does not tolerate spring thaws well.
Barberry (Berberis nummularia)
Coin barberry is native to Asia. Heat-loving. Belongs to deciduous species. Young plants often freeze and take a long time to recover from frostbite. The crown of these shrubs grows well, reaching a maximum height of 2 m. The shoots have large spines - up to 3 cm in length. The branches are painted red. Blooms bright yellow from late June to early July. It bears fruit in the second half of September with small fruits up to 1 cm in diameter, bright red. 
In addition to the fact that this species cannot boast of frost resistance, it also does not tolerate excessive humidity - it gets damp and gets wet when water stagnates. Often affected by rust.
Important! Barberry should not be planted close to grain crops. It is an intermediate host for the fungus that causes linear rust, which attacks these plants.
Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Shrubs of this variety of barberry grow up to 2.5 m. Their shoots are prickly, yellow-brown in color, diverging from the stem in different directions in the form of arcs. The leaves have a dark green color, their lower part has a gray tint. In autumn they turn yellow. Flowering occurs in May - June. Inflorescences are racemose, drooping, fragrant, yellow color. The shrub bears fruit in the fall with beautiful oblong berries of sour color, 1.2 cm in size. The bushes retain their decorative value for a long time due to the fact that the fruits fall only after a long time.
Common barberry is characterized by frost and drought resistance and good tolerance to air pollution. It loves light, but can tolerate light shade. The plant is practically not demanding on the composition of the soil. However, it grows best in light, non-acidic soils. It tolerates pruning well, recovers easily after this procedure, and produces abundant growth. 
It is propagated in three ways: by seed, by dividing the bush and by cuttings. Ordinary barberry has one significant drawback - in the cold and wet summer period it is often affected by fungal diseases: rust, powdery mildew etc. B landscape design used in single and group plantings, for planting hedges.
Did you know? Common and Amur barberry are used for medicinal purposes. Tinctures are prepared from them, which have choleretic properties and are able to stop uterine bleeding.
The common barberry has many forms that are popular in decorative culture. For example, a shrub with red leaves called Atropurpurea. The flowers are orange-yellow, the fruits are dark red.
The variegated form of Albovariegata is also interesting. First of all, it attracts attention with its decorative leaves, which are dark green in color with white strokes and streaks on the surface of the upper plate.
The Aureomarginata form also has beautiful and remarkable leaves. She has them dark green with gold splashes and borders. Among others, varieties with white berries stand out - Alba, with yellow berries - Lutea.
Ottawa barberry (Berberis x ottawensis)
The Ottawa barberry is a hybrid of the Thunberg barberry and a form of the common barberry Atropurpurea. The height of this shrub reaches 2 m. It has dark purple foliage that turns red in autumn. It blooms at the end of May with yellow racemose inflorescences. 
When growing, it will only require mulching and organic fertilizing. Otherwise, this barberry is unpretentious. Winters well without shelter. Resistant to most diseases. Growing quickly.
Of the varieties used in ornamental culture, the most famous are Superba (with dark red leaves), Purpurea (with scarlet leaves), Auricoma (with bright red leaves), Silver Miles (with dark leaves with a silver pattern).
Siberian barberry (Berberis sibirica)
Siberian barberry comes from Western and Eastern Siberia, Kazakhstan and the Middle East. The shrub is small - up to a meter in height and in diameter. It begins flowering and fruiting at the age of six. Flowering continues for 12 days, from the second half of May to the end of June. The fruits appear in August. 
This species is characterized by average winter hardiness. Due to its low decorative value, it is practically not used in culture.
Thunberg's barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Thunberg's barberry has been found in the mountains of China and Japan. This deciduous shrub is small in height - up to 1 m. In diameter - spreading, up to 1.5 m. Young, strongly prickly branches are colored yellow, later becoming brown, red-brown. The leaves also change color depending on the season. In Barberry Thunberg they are small (1-3 cm in length), bright green in spring, red in autumn. The plant blooms at the end of May. Forms yellow-red inflorescences. Fruits in autumn. The fruits may not fall throughout the winter. They are not suitable for food because they are bitter. 
Thunberg's barberry has the same advantages as most varieties of sorrel - it is drought-resistant, frost-resistant, undemanding to the soil, and easily tolerates pruning. In addition, it is practically not affected by powdery mildew and rust.
Important! Since the shoots of most barberries have simple, triple, or quintuple spines, your hands will need to be protected with gloves during the pruning procedure.
This species has about 50 interesting forms. Among them: 
You can’t ignore the variegated varieties. For example, Kelleris, Harlequin, Cornick, Rose Glow. Also especially decorative are varieties with red leaves, which turn into interesting shades at different times of the year: Helmont Pillar, Darts Red Lady.
Turkmen barberry (Berberis turcomanica)
Tall shrub native to mountain slopes Central Asia. Reaches a height of 3 m, but grows slowly. It begins flowering and fruiting at the age of seven. Flowering duration is about two weeks. The fruits appear in early October. 
The species is winter and drought resistant. Not used in landscaping.
Among the barberries there are many resistant and decorative species that grow well in conditions middle zone Russia. Japan is considered the birthplace of the plant. All barberries are thorny shrubs with a height of 1 to 3 m. The leaves are small, collected in bunches on short shoots. The fruits of the plant are edible, with a high content of wine and citric acid. But there are some varieties of barberry that are used only as ornamental seedlings. Not only the autumn color, but also the main color of cultural forms is interesting. Perhaps this is why barberries are rarely talked about as ornamental shrubs that provide beautiful color. But at the beginning of summer, in bloom, the bushes of these plants become especially attractive. Entirely dotted with small but numerous yellow flowers, they look very impressive. Late autumn the plant is decorated with fruits. Today, barberries of different types and varieties make it possible to combine different shapes and colors into beautiful garden compositions. Look how beautiful the decorative barberry looks in the photo:
What barberry looks like and how it blooms: photos and descriptions of species and varieties
Most often used in landscaping:
Any variety of barberry bush is incredibly attractive. Many gardeners are confused by the variety of species of this plant. But in order to make a choice, it is recommended to focus on the goal you are pursuing.If you want a plant to please you with delicious berries, then these are the only varieties. If you want to decorate your garden, use decorative types. Later in the article we will talk about barberries different varieties with photos and descriptions of the features of each. We have already mentioned them above. Note that each species we present copes well with both tasks: it will decorate your garden and produce edible, tasty fruits.
Aureo-Marginata
Albo Variegata
Asperma
The last representative of the plant of this species has a fruit without a seed, which makes it easier to process.
Look what the species of common barberry look like in the photo.
If we compare it with the previous type, its size is much smaller. An adult bush reaches a height of no more than 1 m. The branches of the bush spread in a horizontal direction. Depending on the variety, the young shoots of the plant can be bright red or even yellow, which later turn brown. The foliage is ovoid, slightly elongated, with an average length of no more than 3 cm.
In summer the bush has a brightly saturated green color Due to the color of the leaves, by autumn it becomes bright red.The color lasts no more than 2 weeks. During this period, the bush acquires a red-yellow hue. The flowers of the barberry bush of the Thunberg variety have a double color: the petals are yellow on the inside, and bright red on the outside. The ellipsoid fruits reach 1 cm in length, have a coral tint and ripen in early autumn. If they are not collected, they can survive on the branches until the first serious frost. Thunberg barberry, the care and cultivation of which does not require special knowledge or skills, will give a different, more aesthetic look to your garden plot. This species also has many hybrid varieties that are considered ornamental: multi-flowered, silver-edged, dark purple, etc.
Look what the Thunberg variety of barberries look like in the photo.
Ottawa variety is a shrub that combines the qualities of the first and second types.
This type is perfect for regions with sufficient harsh winters. By external characteristics this plant is similar to Thunberg, but in an enlarged form. Its height reaches 2 m. But the leaves are closer in color and shape to the ordinary species. They have a pink-violet hue that turns almost black in the sun. On autumn days, when most of the colors in the garden have faded, the bush will become its most beautiful, as its leaves take on a crimson hue and stay on the branches for quite a long time. Ottawa barberry, its types and varieties are presented in the photo:
Auricoma
Superba
Silver Miles
In addition to the listed varieties, all over the world you can find barberries of various decorative varieties, which differ in their color, height, and leaf shape. For creating alpine slides use dwarf varieties barberry bushes:
Atropurpurea
Bagatelle
Cobolt
Look how effective this barberry looks - ornamental shrub in the photo surrounded by stones:
Their height does not reach more than 50 cm, which is why these varieties are called dwarf.
Conditions for growing barberry: how to plant and care for the bush
Decorative barberry, which even an inexperienced gardener can care for, differs little depending on the type of plant or its variety. Therefore, it is enough to familiarize yourself with all the intricacies once and you can safely grow different types such plants regardless of its form. You can find ideal growing conditions for barberry in any garden. When choosing a place for further growth of the plant, give preference to places that are not too dark, but also have abundant sunlight he does not like. Partial shade is considered ideal for these bushes. In such a place you will see all the bright colors of the leaves and flowers of barberry. Planting and caring for a plant does not take much time and mainly consists of:- correct selection of shrub planting method;
- ensuring timely watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds;
- shrub trimmings;
- feeding.
It is important to remember that in the first few weeks after planting, watering should also be carried out weekly, until the ornamental barberry is completely rooted. Planting and care in the future implies the absence of stagnation of water in the soil. Therefore, it is important not to overdo it with watering.
You should also remove weeds in the area around the bush in a timely manner. Please pay Special attention on the shoots that will appear near the barberry bushes. It must be eliminated in time. Loosen the soil around the bush from time to time.Fertilized barberry shrubs during planting do not require any more care than indicated above. Provide it with timely watering and air flow into the soil. This will be quite enough for a young plant. But after a year, it is advisable to do this in the spring; it should be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. To do this, dilute no more than 30 g of urea in a bucket of water. Further, it is enough to do this no more often than once every 3 years. But such feeding will be acceptable for ornamental shrubs. If you also want to get healthy fruits with good edible qualities, then also feed each bush with phosphorus and potassium in a ratio of 1:1.5. Pruning, as for other shrubs in the garden, consists of removing weakened or dry shoots. This process carries health and aesthetic aspects. Remember that barberry bushes have sharp thorns, so use gloves and pruning with extreme caution. The first pruning of branches can be carried out in the spring on a one-year-old barberry. Look at the photo and read the description of how to do it:
This pruning is used only for tall varieties of barberry. All shoots must be shortened by almost 2/3 or half. Dry branches are completely removed. This will help to form a decorative bush that will look aesthetically beautiful.
In the future, pruning is carried out twice a year: at the beginning of summer and in August. Dwarf species undergo only sanitary pruning.What barberry, an ornamental shrub, looks like before and after pruning, look at the photo:
Ways to propagate barberry
Many people think that this is a rather capricious plant. This is why some gardeners are afraid to grow it on their site. But barberry propagation and care in the future will not be difficult even for an amateur. Let's try to dispel the myths that surround the cultivation of this plant. There are many ways of reproduction:- cuttings;
- seeds;
- dividing the bush;
- layering.
Dividing the bush also entails some problems. For example, with this method of propagation there is a high probability of damage to the root system. As a result, both bushes may disappear or become diseased.Despite all the difficulties, gardeners claim that with the right approach and following all the subtleties, you will very soon see in your garden how beautiful barberry blooms.
How to plant barberry: propagation by seeds
The plant can be grown from a small seed. Since germination rate is quite low, it is recommended to plant several fruits at once. How to plant barberry from seed? The process begins with the selection of a ripe, large fruit. Sort out a few berries from the bush you like. Next, peel the fruit and release the seed. It needs to be washed running water and soak for a while in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Next, dry the seed well. It is recommended to sow in autumn. Use open ground with loose soil. Make holes up to 3 cm and sow the seeds. Winter frosts will harden them, and in the spring you will see the first shoots of your future barberry. Planting also entails caring for the seed, reproduction of which directly depends. To do this, the collected product is kept dry in the refrigerator, mixed with sand, at a temperature of +3 degrees. And only at the end of April can it be sown in loose open soil. Seeds that have sprouted should be thinned out, removing the weakest sprouts. After a year, the strengthened barberry can be transplanted to permanent place.With this type of reproduction, you will see the first fruits in the second year. There is a possibility that varietal traits may not be preserved in a plant grown in this way. But the situation can be prevented by vaccination.
Barberry can reproduce quite independently by self-seeding. If you do not collect the fruits in the fall, they will fall to the ground and may well take root. In the spring, the sprouts are not touched, and replanting is carried out the next year.
Propagation of Thunberg barberry and other species by cuttings in spring
And yet, how to grow barberry of the same variety? To avoid subsequent grafting, it is better to use the cutting method. To do this, it is enough to cut branches from an adult bush, root and plant. But let us immediately note that not all types of barberry can produce good cuttings that will quickly take root. In addition, this method requires quite a lot of time for roots to germinate. To speed up this process, gardeners recommend using special root stimulants. Reproduction of decorative barberry by cuttings proceeds according to the following scheme:- the cuttings are on the side branches, they are cut in June, up to 15 cm in size;
- the leaves at the base of the cut are removed, and the cut itself is treated with a root formation stimulator;
- soil is prepared: peat and sand;
- treated cuttings are planted;
- all seedlings are covered plastic film or in jars to create a greenhouse effect.
See what cuttings of barberry, its planting and care for it look like in the photo:
Reproduction of barberry by layering and dividing the bush
Another way to get a daughter plant of the same type is to propagate barberry by layering or by dividing the bush into parts. Many shrubs in the garden can be propagated by dividing the root system. Barberry in this case is no exception. But here you need to be extremely careful and avoid severe damage to the root system, otherwise the bush will not be accepted. We will tell you further about how to plant barberry by dividing the root:- a healthy mother bush is suitable for division;
- dig it out of the ground carefully;
- divide into parts;
- place planting material into prepared wells filled with water.
Throughout the summer, both the bush and the buried cuttings are watered, weeds are removed and the ground is loosened. By autumn you will have ready-made seedlings that will retain all the varietal characteristics of the mother barberry.
How to grow barberry: combating diseases and pests
Like any other plant in the garden, barberry is also subject to some... Therefore, if you want to preserve the beauty and fertility of your bush, you need to monitor its condition and take timely measures to eliminate them. Among the main signs of diseases that should alert a gardener are the following:- loose white coating on leaves and shoots - powdery mildew;
- there are bright orange spots on the upper side of the foliage, the leaves turn yellow and crumble - rust;
- gradual drying of the leaves of the bush, which spreads from one side to the other - wilting.
Only timely removal of the affected shoots and treatment of the bush with Bordeaux liquid will help prevent wilting. Damaged and removed shoots must be burned.Often a severely damaged bush cannot be saved. Therefore, it is important to identify the problem in a timely manner and eliminate it.
Insects that infect the barberry bush include aphids, sawflies and flower moths. If you find that the leaves on the plant have wrinkled and drying spots have appeared, then this is a clear sign presence of aphids. Look at the shoots and young leaves - you will probably notice this insect.
To combat it, you can use an old but proven method - strong soap solution. Concentration: take 300 g per bucket of water laundry soap. The plant is well treated with a spray bottle.The moth is especially dangerous for fruit-bearing barberry, since it settles precisely in the berries of the plant. It, like the sawfly, is combated by spraying with 1-3% chlorophos. Look how beautifully the barberry blooms in these photos:
This plant is still quite rare in the gardens of our country. But if you want to surprise with such an unpretentious and beautiful bush, then make every effort to plant and care for it, and very soon the barberry will become a decoration of your site.
The barberry shrub is a member of a large genus of the Barberry family. These plants grow in the mountainous northern regions. The family includes approximately 170 species, many of which have been cultivated. Gardeners are interested in barberry as a raw material for preparing drinks and medicines.
Also this bush, for its decorative properties, lovers of beauty did not fail to pay attention - there are many shades of leaves of different varieties of barberry, from ordinary green to purple and spotted with a border. Sizes also vary depending on the species. Some plants reach up to three meters in height, and although barberry may look like a tree, it is worth remembering that it is still a shrub.
The barberry bush is a plant from a group of deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen plants with thorns. The leaves are simple or leathery. Barberry flowers are small, have a fairly strong aroma, golden or orange color with the presence of shades of red. The flowers are usually collected in an inflorescence, but sometimes grow singly. This plant also attracts many insects, such as bees, because the bush is very rich in nectar. Barberry fruits also have a huge variety of shapes and colors. This shrub is very unpretentious environment. He grows well in a variety of soils, well adapted to urban conditions. For a hedge made of bushes - the ideal solution.
It is best to plant barberry in early spring, immediately after the soil thaws. However, the seedlings must be planted before the buds open. Sometimes planting is carried out in the fall, during heavy leaf fall.
Due to its unpretentiousness to environmental conditions, barberry grows well in open areas, as it can withstand drafts and strong winds well. This shrub can also grow in partial shade, but some species produce brighter colors in full sun. Regarding the soil, barberry feels more comfortable in neutral soil, but it can still withstand some deviations in the composition of the soil.
If you plant barberry singly, then the distance between the bushes should be about two meters. If you plan to plant a hedge, then you need to plant a couple of bushes per linear meter. Holes for planting must be dug a couple of weeks before planting, approximately 40 by 40; a trench 40 cm deep is made for the fence. To access more air to the roots, a layer of sand is placed at the bottom of the holes or trenches.
If the soil composition deviates from neutral, then it bring it back to normal various methods. After lowering the seedling into the hole, sprinkle it with soil, press it down, carry out good watering. After all this you need to mulch trunk circle. The above-ground part of the seedling is cut off, leaving only a part with three to five good buds.
Rules of care
Everything related to planting and caring for barberry can be easily accomplished even by a novice gardener, and it does not matter what type of this shrub will be planted. For example, there is many varieties with bitter fruits, which are grown only in decorative purposes, but they are almost no different in care from species with edible berries. Therefore, having once mastered the rules of caring for barberry, you can grow many varieties in your garden.
There are several mandatory things that must be done when caring for this unpretentious shrub:
Exists several ways to propagate barberry, but to choose the right one, you need to study the aspects of each.
Wintering barberry
Young plants, up to five years old, needs to be covered for the winter. This is especially true for evergreen varieties. If the bush is too voluminous, it is covered in the same way as roses or hydrangea: the branches are firmly tied with a strong rope. Then I place a metal net around the bush, the height of which should be 10 centimeters above the bush. Dry leaves are placed between the bush and the net and the resulting shape is wrapped in material for covering the plants.
Benefits of barberry
The decorative advantages of barberry have led to the recognition of this shrub by all gardeners in the world. However, this plant can be grown not only to enjoy its beauty, but also for the huge number of its beneficial properties. In this regard, the most popular variety is common barberry. It is grown mainly for its berries, which are used in the manufacture of various products.
Barberry fruits contain many vitamins, beneficial acids and mineral salts. The beneficial properties of this plant are also used in medicine for treatment. various diseases and ailments. Moreover, any parts of the bush are suitable for treatment, but they still mainly use leaves and fruits.
Despite the enormous benefits, there is also a number of restrictions for its use. Before use, it is best to consult a specialist.
In the article we discuss common barberry. You will learn what the bush looks like and where it grows. We'll talk about medicinal properties plants, and also discuss the care and cultivation of barberry in the garden. We will look at recipes for plant-based medicines that help with pancreatitis, diabetes, adenoids and high blood pressure. We will tell you whether it is possible to use barberry-based products during pregnancy and consider contraindications for use.
Common barberry or eastern barberry is a deciduous shrub of the Barberry family (lat. Berberidaceae). Latin name: Berberis vulgaris. The plant is known as sourweed, berberis, and sourthorn.
What does it look like
Appearance of common barberry. The thorny bush reaches a height of 2.5 meters. The rhizome of barberry is woody and creeping. The barberry bark is light brown on the outside and dark yellow on the inside.
The branches of the plant are spreading and covered with thorns. The shoots are erect, yellow or yellow-purple in color. Leaves grow on short shoots, and thorns on long shoots.
The leaves are alternate, narrowed towards the base. They have the shape of an ellipse with a rounded or pointed tip. There are small teeth along the edges of the leaves. The leaf blade reaches 4 cm in length and 2 cm in width.
Clusters of inflorescences contain from 15 to 25 small yellow flowers. Each flower consists of an orange nectary, 6 petals, 6 sepals, 1 pistil and 6 stamens. It blooms in late spring - from April to May.
The buds of the plant are small, up to 1 cm long. They have smooth surface and pointed shape. Barberry berries are oblong, bright red in color, and sour in taste. The length of the fruit reaches 12 mm. It bears fruit in early autumn - from September to October.
The seeds of the plant are flattened, no more than 7 mm in length.
Where does it grow
In the wild, barberry grows throughout Europe, Asia and Transcaucasia. Found in the European part of Russia and the North Caucasus.
The shrub prefers light and dry areas of soil. The plant is found in steppes, meadows and forest edges. Barberry grows on chalk and pebble areas.
Planting and care
Barberry is cultivated in summer cottages and personal plots. Planted as single bushes or as a hedge. One of the most unusual and colorful varieties is Barberry thunberga atropurpurea.
Planting and caring for shrubs has its own characteristics. Barberries are planted in spring open areas. The plant is not afraid of windy weather. To plant barberry, the trench method is used. The depth and width of the ditch is 40 cm.
A layer of sand and humus is placed at the bottom of the trench, then watered, and only after that the seedling is placed there, sprinkled with earth.
The first pruning of the bush is carried out immediately after planting.
In dry weather, the plant must be watered once a week; during the rainy season, watering is canceled. Young seedlings are watered more often—2 times a week—until they take root.
For more information about barberry, watch the following video:
Barberry leaf and root
Since ancient times, barberry has been used as a medicinal plant to treat diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system and upper respiratory tract. The leaves and roots of the plant are used to prepare medicines.
Chemical composition
Common barberry contains:
- berberine;
- palmitine;
- vitamins;
- tannins;
- oxyacanthin;
- carotene;
- resinous substances;
- organic acids;
- tocopherols.
Medicinal properties
Medicinal properties medicinal plants, including barberry, is studied by the science of pharmacognosy. With its help it was established that barberry has
- antimicrobial,
- antipyretic,
- anti-inflammatory
- astringent properties.
Thanks to the berberine contained in the plant, barberry-based products have a choleretic effect. They also reduce the tone of the gallbladder.
Barberry is used as an anesthetic and also to stop bleeding - berberine increases blood clotting. Hemostatic agents with it are used to stop postpartum hemorrhage.
Barberry exhibits antibacterial and antispasmodic properties. Preparations based on the plant are used to treat inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract and dysentery.
Barberry-based products stop the development of cancerous tumors.
Barberry has a mild laxative effect and is also used as a diuretic. Barberry dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Medicinal infusions and decoctions are made from the plant.
How to collect
They start picking berries when they are not yet ripe. Unripe fruits retain their shape better. The bark of the plant is collected in April and May. From the beginning of flowering until mid-summer, barberry flowers are harvested. The roots are collected 2 times a year - in spring and autumn.
Barberries are dried at a temperature of no more than 50 degrees under a canopy or in a ventilated area and stored in fabric bags in a room with low humidity.
Shelf life - 3 years.
How to use
Barberry is used in ordinary and folk medicine. Dry root can be bought at any pharmacy. At home, medicinal infusions and decoctions are made from medicinal raw materials. They are used as an antipyretic and choleretic agent for the treatment of gallbladder diseases, dysentery and colds.
An infusion of the plant is used to treat inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Barberry tincture normalizes metabolism and improves appetite. The drug is used to treat liver and kidney diseases. The tincture eliminates liver intoxication and reduces its swelling.
The antiseptic and tonic properties of the plant help with gout and rheumatism.
Barberry decoction reduces the spleen, enlarged during malaria.
In gynecology, barberry tincture is often used to stop uterine bleeding. The drug increases blood clotting.
Pharmaceuticals are produced from barberry medications. For example, for cholecystitis, Berberine is prescribed. The main active ingredient is berberine bisulfate. It is extracted from barberry leaves.
Barberry-based drugs stop the growth of cancerous tumors.
Rinsing the mouth with barberry decoction eliminates the inflammatory process.
Infusion and decoction of the plant are used as lotions for eczema and for healing wounds.
Decoction for rinsing with adenoids
Adenoids - inflammation of the adenoids. This disease occurs in children 2 years of age and older. For the treatment of inflamed tonsils in childhood use barberry infusion to gargle.
The homeopathic drug Barberry Comp Job-baby is prescribed for oral administration. This product is safe for children as it contains a low concentration of active ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Barberry root - 20 gr.
- Water - 500 ml.
How to cook: Pour boiling water over the barberry root, place on low heat and simmer under the lid for 5 minutes. Cool the finished broth and strain through cheesecloth.
How to use: Gargle 2-3 times during the day.
Result: The product relieves inflammation and has an analgesic effect. With regular use, it eliminates swelling of the adenoids.
Infusion for pancreatitis
To treat diseases of the pancreas, an aqueous infusion of barberry is used. It has a choleretic and analgesic effect. The drug relieves inflammation and reduces the tone of the gallbladder walls.
Ingredients:
- Barberry leaves - 10 gr.
- Water - 250 ml.
How to cook: Pour boiling water over the herb, place in a water bath and bring to a boil. Stir the broth over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the stove, cover with a lid, wrap in a towel and let sit for 2 hours. Strain the cooled infusion through a strainer.
How to use: Take 10 ml 3-4 times a day before meals.
Result: Barberry infusion relieves inflammation of the pancreas and has a choleretic effect. The product effectively relieves pain.
Infusion for diabetes
To reduce blood sugar levels, you can eat fresh barberries or take infusions based on them. The juice of the plant saturates the body with vitamins, improves metabolism and reduces thirst, which often occurs with diabetes.
Ingredients:
- Barberry berries - 20 gr.
- Water - 500 ml.
How to cook: Grind the barberry berries, pour them into a thermos, pour boiling water over them and let it brew for at least 3-4 hours.
How to use: Take half a glass of infusion before each meal, but no more than 5 times a day.
Result: The infusion strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels.
Anti-pressure tincture
Barberry effectively reduces blood pressure, tones and strengthens blood vessels. Plant-based products are used in complex therapy for hypertension.
Ingredients:
- Barberry flowers - 30 gr.
- Vodka - 200 ml.
How to cook: Pour the plant material into a glass jar, fill it with vodka and put it in a cool, dark place for two weeks. The finished tincture has a cherry color and a sour taste.
How to use: Take 20 drops of tincture 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then you need to take a break for a week and resume treatment.
Result: The tincture dilates blood vessels and helps lower blood pressure. Regular use of the drug normalizes blood pressure.
Barberry during pregnancy (breastfeeding)
Barberry has a strengthening effect on the immune system, which is especially important during pregnancy. But despite this, it is strictly forbidden to use any medicines based on barberry during the period of waiting for the baby and during breastfeeding.
The plant contains a large number of alkaloids that are harmful to the body of a pregnant woman. In addition, barberry stimulates the contraction of different muscle groups, which can lead to miscarriage.
Barberry-based preparations can cause swelling and lead to the formation of blood clots.
During pregnancy, it is permissible to eat barberry-based sauces and seasonings, but only in moderation.
Barberry in cooking
Barberry leaves and berries of the plant are used in cooking for cooking various dishes. For example, they are added to pilaf, sauces or seasonings.
Barberry is used to make preserves and jams. The well-known “Barberry” candies contain the essence of the plant’s berries.
Barberry juice has a sour taste and can replace lemon juice. Vitamin compotes are made from barberry fruits, and tea is also infused.
Contraindications
Contraindications to taking barberry-based products:
- uterine bleeding before separation of the placenta;
- children under 12 years of age;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- individual intolerance;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- cholelithiasis;
- stomach ulcer.
Green barberry berries should not be eaten as they are poisonous.
Classification
Common barberry (lat. Berberis vulgaris) is a species of the genus Barberry (lat. Berberis). The Barberry family (lat. Berberidaceae), to which barberry belongs, unites 19 genera of plants. Common barberry belongs to the order Ranunculales (lat. Ranunculales), class Dicotyledons (lat. Dicotyledones), division Flowers (lat. Magnoliophyta).
Varieties
The genus Barberry includes 580 plant species. The most famous of them:
- Amur barberry;
- Common barberry;
- Barberry purple;
- Barberry reticulate;
- Barberry multiflora;
- Wilson's barberry;
- Barberry warty;
- Barberry hawthorn.
Common barberry infographics
Photo of common barberry, its beneficial features and application 
Infographics on common barberry
What to remember
- Common barberry is used as ornamental plant, as well as in cooking and as a medicinal raw material for medicinal preparations.
- Barberry lowers blood pressure, has choleretic, analgesic and antibacterial effects.
- Despite its wide range of applications, the plant has a number of contraindications that you need to familiarize yourself with.
