Hi there, welcome again to the Nuacht Chláirs gardening section. Spring has sprung at last, albeit with a hint of frost. Trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and other plants are starting to awaken. Let me now awaken your interest in this issues VIP (very important plant).
Berberis darwinii
Berberis darwinii is commonly known as ‘Darwin’s bearberry’, probably the most colourful of the evergreen bearberries. This large evergreen shrub can have ultimate height of 2.5 metres (7 to 8ft); it has a spread of approx 3 metres (9ft).
A native of Argentina and Chile, it is frost hardy and will shortly boast plentiful clusters of yellow flowers with a reddish-orange tint. Small dark green thorny leaves form the backdrop for these long lasting flowers. Unusually Berberis darwinii has fewer spines on its branches than other bearberries; although the thorns on its holly-like leaves go some way towards making up the prickle quota.
Because of its thorny leaves, Berberis darwinii is often called upon as a barrier planting or hedge by planting rows of Berberis darwinii at 45cm (18 inch) spacings. However, it is equally at home in the mixed border as a showy specimen plant. After flowering it will display dark blue bloomy berries, so do not prune directly after flowering instead wait to enjoy the berries. When you are pruning you will be surprised by the striking yellow inner wood of this multi-talented shrub
Give the easy to grow Berberis darwinii a position in full sun; it will also tolerate partial shade but with less flowering. I would highly recommend this shrub if you have a very heavy clay soil as it would thrive in those conditions.
Good points
· Grows in most soil types, even sticky clays.
· A tough and low maintenance shrub.
· Can be cut back hard if required.
· Can be transplanted, good survival rates.
· Its fruits will attract birds to your garden
Poor points
· Quite thorny, remember to wear heavy gloves when pruning.
Main pests and diseases
· Rust disease, in damp conditions and in areas of poor air circulation.
· Powdery mildew, this is encouraged when soils are dry but the air is damp.
· Aphids, this pest is common to many shrubs.
· Fungal leaf spot, brown spots that are unsightly but hardly ever fatal.
Garden tasks for March
· Give your lawn its first mowing of the season, followed shortly afterwards by its first fertilising with a spring lawn food. Lawn moss killers such as lawn sand can also be applied
· Sow hardy annual bedding plants a nd vegetable seeds outdoors.
· Weed your beds and borders, early weed removal will save you excessive weeding in months to come. Mulching with bark or gravel after weeding is recommended.
· Finish planting bare-root shrubs and trees
· Plant root-balled evergreens and conifers.
· Prune Buddleia, Fuchsia and Hydrangea.
So until next month, happy gardening and remember that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.
James Kilkelly runs a garden and landscape design service just outside the village of Monivea. If you would like to view sample design drawings or simply pick up some design tips then visit his website www.gardenplansireland.com
Alternatively, contact James by phone on 087-206 7846.
