Berberis julianae

Berberis julianae flower (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Berberidaceae

Berberis julianae is a fast growing, rounded, evergreen shrub with an arching habit. Its dark green evergreen leaves are glossy, narrow, rigid with spiny margins. The leaves are pale green on the underside, its young leaves are copper in colour and before old leaves fall of the plant in autumn/ spring they turn brilliant red. The stems of this shrub contain large spines. The yellow slightly fragrant flowers of the plant are borne in axillary clusters or racemes. The egg shaped fruit is a small black berry.

Berberis julianae, commonly known as Wintergreen barberry, Julians Barberry or Chinese barberry, is native to Central China. It was introduced into cultivation in the UK in 1900. It was first recorded in the wild in the UK in 1984 and continues to be recorded.

The etymological root of the binomial name for Berberis is derived from the Arabic  برباريس, the Arabic name for Berberis. Juliana is named after Juliana Schnieder by her husband Camillo Schnieder (1876-1951), and Austrian botanist and landscape architect who explored China.

Berberis julianae (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Berberis julianae useful as an impenetrable evergreen, spring flowering informal hedge plant. Care should be taken when locating this plant as its spines will scratch.

Ecologically, Berberis julianae is attractive to bees as they pollinate its flowers. Birds and mammals are attracted to its fruit.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Berberis julianae their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Berberis julianae prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Berberis julianae requires little maintenance. If maintaining as a hedge it should be cut after flowering.

Landscape Architecture

Oemleria cerasiformis

Oemleria cerasiformis After flowering (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Late winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread:  4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Rosaceae

Oemleria cerasiformis is a medium sized, erect, deciduous shrub. Its mid green leaves are alternate, simple, lance shaped,  have an entire margin and are up to 12cm long. They are pale grey/ green on the underside, have a fuzzy appearance and  give off a cucumber or watermelon scent. The bark is smooth, red/ brown to dark gray in colour. The white/ green dioecious flowers of the plant are borne in pendant racemes of bell shaped flowers and appear before the leaves. The fruit is an ovoid drupe, orange to yellow in colour when young, becoming blue/ black when mature and is up to 15mm long.

Oemleria cerasiformis, commonly known as Osoberry or Indian Plum, is native to the Pacific coast of North America. Oemleria cerasiformis is the sole species in the genus Oemleria. The native Americans make a tea of the bark or chew the leaves for its mild anesthetic properties. The fruit are not particularly edible as the common name might suggest as they are very bitter. The male flowers may produce an unpleasant smell.

The etymological root of the binomial name Oemleria is named after Augustus Gottlieb Oemler (1773-1852), a German naturalist who settled in the USA. Cerasiformis is derived from the Latin cerasus ‘Cherry tree’ and forma ‘shape’.

Oemleria cerasiformis (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Oemleria cerasiformis useful as a medium sized ground cover shrub, when planted en mass. It will form an effective formal or informal hedge. It is suitable for woodland edge type planting.

Ecologically, Oemleria cerasiformis is attractive to animals such as Birds, deer, foxes, rodents who consume its drupe like fruit. The flowers are also a nectar source for bees. 

Oemleria cerasiformis prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Oemleria cerasiformis requires little maintenance. If maintaining as a hedge it should be cut after flowering. It may be cut to ground level to rejuvenate an over-mature plant.

Prunus cerasifera

Prunus cerasifera flower (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 9m

Eventual Spread: 6m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Rosaceae

Prunus cerasifera is a large shrub or small deciduous tree with a rounded (somewhat messy) habit. Its bright green leaves are up to 6cm long, alternate and simple with serrated margins, pointed tips. The bark is dark reddish brown and becomes fissured with age. The white flowers are fragrant, solitary, up to 2cm across and bloom before the leaves emerge. The edible fruit is a red or yellow drupe, is up to 3cm in diameter and matures in late summer.

Prunus cerasifera (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

Prunus cerasifera, commonly known as Cherry Plum and Myrobalan Plum, is native to parts of Europe and Asia. It is not native to the UK, although it has become naturalised, and was introduced into Britain about 300 years ago. This tree is often confused with Sloe or Blackthorn.

The etymological root of the binomial name Prunus is derived from the classical name for Plum. Cerasifera is derived from the Latin cerasi ‘cherry’ and fera ‘wild’.

The landscape architect may find Prunus cerasifera useful as specimen tree, particularly in a wildlife garden or community garden. It is also suitable for planting as part of a mixed, wildlife friendly hedge.

Ecologically,  Prunus cerasifera is attractive to early insects (including bees) for its nectar and birds which consume its fruit. 

Prunus cerasifera bark (11/03/2012, Kew, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Prunus cerasifera prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Prunus cerasifera requires little maintenance. Formative or hedge pruning should be carried out after flowering, from April to July to minimise the risk of Silver leaf infection.