Barberry

Hello Again. Another question...I read that I can trim barberry shrubs darn near to the ground, ie. rejuvenation. In the past, all I have done is basic trimming of them, nothing extreme, and there are a few that are looking rather beastly and could use a cut. Has anyone actually trimmed barberry, ala rejuvenation? And how did it recover the next season? Thanks!

 

Same concept with Azaleas, Rhody's, Yews and many others

They look the best the second year

 

Barberry, huh. Man they do look good in a landscape, but I hate trimming them. I haven't done a total cut back on any, but I've come close. They've always come back looking great. I always cut out any dead wood when I cut them back that far, too.

 

M-B - go ahead and take them to the ground. They will recover nicely next year to a manageable size. I have several properties that I treat shrubs as perennials and prune to the ground year after year. This method of pruning works good on potentilla, spirea, barberry, some varieties of hyrangea, some euonymous and other deciduous shrubs. The bushes stay small and manageable.

 

Usually i take them down to knee level. Never taken one down to the ground to rejuvenate. Usually all the new growth when you shear one up makes it look great.

 

Hey M-B, you can take barberry all the way down and it come back beautiful. I think cutting a pigmy back all the way would not be a good idea. Barberies are a pretty bush. Have a blessed week. Tara'

 

Hi Mower Babe,

Here is a quote from this site.

"Some suggestions for pruning shrubs is offered by Jay Windsor Agricultural Agent,University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

1. Barberry - Cut all 3-year-old wood back to the ground."

 

so, guys if I choose to complete this mission...what month? Any suggestions, besides prayer?

zone 5.

Thanks!

 

Now. Before it gets cold. This will also give it time to recover from the harsh stressful operation before next spring.

 

M-B,
I thought you hated barberries.????

How about pruning them at the ground with a shovel?