Japanese barberry "Pechcin"

• Height: 1–1.5 m (species data)
• Width: 1–1.5 m
• Foliage: reddish-purple, bright red in autumn
• Flowering: May, small yellow flowers
• Light: full sun (for colour), part shade tolerated
• Soil: any well-drained, no waterlogging
• Hardiness: USDA 4

Planting. Plant barberry in spring or autumn in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. For a hedge leave 40–60 cm between plants. Wear gloves: the stems are thorny.

Care. The shrub is low maintenance. Remove weeds and mulch the root zone with peat or bark to hold moisture.

Watering and feeding. Water young plants regularly in the first year; later water only in dry spells. Feed moderately with a balanced fertiliser in spring.

Winter and pruning. In early spring remove dead and frost-damaged stems; shape hedges after flowering or in spring. It is fully hardy and needs no winter cover.