Juliana Barberry

Synonyms: barberry Juliana, barberry Juliana (alternate spellings), Berberis julianae, evergreen barberry, Chinese barberry, Berberis julianae var. oblongifolia Ahrendt, Berberis julianae var. patungensis Ahrendt.

Juliana Barberry – a species of barberry from the genus Berberis (family Berberidaceae). Native to central China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, and Sichuan). Occurs in mountains at elevations of 1000-1500 m above sea level. In cultivation since 1900. First described in 1984 by botanist W. Kent.

It is an evergreen shrub with a very dense, densely branched, almost spherical crown. It reaches 0.5-2 m in height, in its native range it can grow up to 3-4 m. Branches grey-yellow, erect. Shoots ribbed, glabrous, Spines powerful, three-parted, up to 4 cm long.

Root system consists of a strong, sparingly branched and widely spreading main root.

Leaves ovate-lanceolate or obovate-lanceolate, 3-10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, shortly acuminate or blunt, densely serrate, stiff, glabrous, leathery; each side bears 12-20 small spiny-serrated teeth. Upper surface glossy, dark green, underside slightly shiny and paler. In autumn they acquire yellow-red tones.

Flowers in mid-May – early June. Flowers yellow, sometimes reddish outside, numerous, up to 1 cm in diameter, with a weak fragrance, grouped in clusters of 8-15. Pedicels reach 1.5 cm in length.

Fruits elliptical, 0.6-0.9 cm long, blue-black, covered with a dense white waxy bloom, inedible. Style short. They ripen at the end of September.

Cultivars: 'Spring Glory'

Hybrids: with Berberis thunbergii DC. – Berberis × mentorensis L. M. Ames

Hardiness zone: 4 (-29°C). In severe winters may suffer frost damage.

Location: cold-hardy, drought-resistant. Undemanding. Grows well on dry and sandy soils. Prefers acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Does not tolerate waterlogging. Sun-loving but shade-tolerant. Tolerates urban conditions well, wind-resistant.

Planting: planting is best done in spring or autumn. If soil acidity is above pH 7, liming the soil is recommended. Planting mix: peat, topsoil, humus, 400 g of slaked lime (if pH>7) and 200 g of wood ash. Planting hole dimensions: 40x40 cm. For single plantings, spacing between plants should be 1.5-2 m.

Care: care consists of shallow cultivation of the trunk circles and mulching. Watering is recommended at least once a week with 2-3 buckets per plant. In spring, one year after planting, nitrogen-containing fertilizers can be applied. Thereafter, nitrogen feeding should be carried out no earlier than every 3-4 years.

Propagation: for spring sowing of seeds, stratification at 1 - 5°C for 3-4 months is necessary. Seeds can also be sown in autumn without stratification immediately after harvest or after removal of the pulp. Sowing depth 2-3 cm.

Diseases: bacterial canker, powdery mildew, septoria leaf spot, infectious dieback of branches, phyllosticta leaf spot, leaf spot. Not affected by rust.

Pests: barberry aphid, barberry sawfly, barberry fruit moth, leaf-eating insects.

Uses: In landscape design used in solitary and group plantings, in private gardens, for urban greening, for espaliers, and borders. Highly ornamental.