Common Barberry
Berberis vulgaris
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Krym, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Robert Flogaus-Faust
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- Berberis vulgaris
- USDA Symbol:
- BEVU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Mead's wave moth (Coryphista meadii), Omphalocera cariosa, Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), Tawny Phosphor (Triphosa haesitata), Walker’s Atlas Moth (Samia walkeri), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire or cutting. Can persist in disturbed areas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, fertile loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers calcareous soils in native habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification. Fresh seed may germinate without treatment but rates are lower.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 10°C. * wash clean 14 days, plant 2 cm deep