Berberis
Barberry Bonsai
A colossal genus native to Asia, South America, Africa, Europe and North America. Among its pantheon of species, Berberis darwinii and Berberis thunbergii are most popular for bonsai. its multitude of deciduous and evergreen species produce lovely Autumn foliage with vibrant fruit.
Barberry Bonsai Care Tips
Placement
Barberry bonsai are hardy species. Be sure to choose an outdoor spot with plenty of sun or semi-shade. For a full array of colours in its foliage come autumn, full sun is advised. Will require frost protection if temperatures drop below -5 degrees C.
Watering
During the growing season, water your Barberry Bonsai regularly.
Feeding & Fertilising
Across the growing season, use a general fertiliser every fortnight to feed your Barberry bonsai. Late in the summer, a feed with a low nitrogen content is advised.
Pruning & Wiring
Pruning your bonsai is important not only to create or maintain an aesthetic style but to also ensure optimal health. Unless fruits are desired, trim back after the tree has flowered. If your Barberry bonsai requires a more vigorous growth, remove any dead flowers. Do not be alarmed by a yellow colouring of the inner root, stem or trunk. This is natural for this species.
In small and medium tree size, informal upright styles are suitable. Barberry bonsai can be wired any time of the year. We recommend using wires with a thickness that matches the thickness of the branch: if the wire you choose is too thick you will damage the bark. If it is too thin, it won’t be effective.
Repotting
Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Before its buds break in Spring, Barberry bonsai should be repotted every 2-3 years. If your Barberry bonsai has become pot-bound you should repot come the next Spring.
Trees that are ready for repotting will require root pruning, a suitable new pot and appropriate soil mix.
When repotting, do not cut back the root mass by a large amount, and choose a well-draining soil mix that has a neutral or slightly higher PH value of 5-6 but not over 7. We tend to use a mixture of different speciality bonsai soils on our trees. Every species is different so please contact us for free soil-mix advice or to take advantage of our repotting service.
Bonsai trees aren’t only magnificent additions to an indoor oasis, they are more than capable of standing out in any garden. Many Bonsai species are incredibly hardy and withstand nature’s colder and damper turns with aplomb making them worthwhile outdoor plants. We have an extensive library of care guides for outdoor bonsai trees. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you.
Barberry Bonsai - Typical Queries
Do Barberry bonsai attract pests and diseases?
Barberry bonsai can suffer from powdery mildew if the care falls outside of its required needs. It can also fall prey to aphids.
How to propagate Barberry bonsai?
Barberry Bonsai can be propagated with seeds, cuttings and through layering. Seeds need sowing outside at the start of Spring. Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken in the Summer. Softwood cuttings can be sown in the Summer. Both ground layering and air layering should be done in either Autumn or Spring.
Can you keep a Barberry bonsai indoors?
This species requires no special protection outside of frost and is a hardy plant, it’s best to keep Barberry bonsai outdoors. Doing otherwise could negate growth and vigour.
