Ottawa Barberry Berberis × ottawensis f. purpurea 'Superba'

Water

The Ottawa Barberry should be watered deeply to encourage a strong root system, typically around 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on climate and soil conditions. It's important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. During the growing season in spring and summer, you'll want to water the plant more frequently, ensuring it receives about 1-2 gallons per week, especially if there are extended periods of dry weather. In the fall and winter, reduce watering as the plant's growth slows down, providing water only as needed to keep the soil from becoming completely dry.

Light

Ottawa Barberry thrives best in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would provide at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, which promotes good foliage color and dense growth. While it can tolerate some shade, too much will lead to a less vibrant foliage color and a sparser habit, so it's advisable to position the plant in a predominantly sunny area.

Temperature

Ottawa Barberry is hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, making it suitable for various gardens. It can survive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, as this will promote healthy growth and flowering.

Pruning

Prune the Ottawa Barberry to maintain its shape, remove any dead or diseased wood, and encourage air circulation within the canopy. This is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning can be done annually, but excessive hard pruning should be avoided. Light pruning to shape the plant can also be done throughout the growing season if necessary.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Ottawa Barberry 'Superba' thrives best in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. For optimal growth, a mix of garden soil, compost, and peat can be used to maintain a fertile and slightly acidic to neutral environment. Mulching helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Repotting

Ottawa Barberry 'Superba' is typically planted directly into the landscape and does not require frequent repotting. If grown in containers, repotting every 2-3 years is sufficient to refresh the soil and provide space for root growth.

Humidity & Misting

Ottawa Barberry 'Superba' is adaptable to a wide range of humidity conditions found in outdoor environments and does not have specific humidity requirements. It is generally tolerant of the humidity levels typical of its hardiness zones.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Position Ottawa Barberry 'Superba' near a sunny window.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Berberis × ottawensis f. purpurea 'Superba', commonly known as Ottawa Barberry 'Superba', initiates its life cycle through seed germination or vegetative propagation, such as stem cuttings. The young seedling grows and develops into a shrub, during which time it matures and establishes a robust root system. As the Ottawa Barberry 'Superba' reaches maturity, it begins to produce flowers, typically in mid-spring, which are followed by the development of small, berry-like fruits that mature to a bright red color by late summer or fall. These fruits contain seeds that can facilitate the spread of the plant, either by animal dispersal or self-sowing. The shrub enters a period of dormancy during the cold winter months. Every spring, the Ottawa Barberry 'Superba' re-emerges from dormancy, showing new growth, and continues its life cycle, potentially for several decades, as it is a perennial species.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: The most popular method of propagating the Purpleleaf Japanese Barberry 'Superba' is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This typically occurs in late summer after new growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. Cuttings of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long are taken from healthy, disease-free branches. The lower leaves of the cuttings are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings are then planted in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring at least one or two nodes are below the soil surface where roots can form. The cutting is kept under high humidity and indirect light until roots have established, which can take several weeks.