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Post by lottielady on Jan 20, 2007 14:08:58 GMT
I want to put in a spiky hedge and can't decide between the two. I have conflicting info on the Berberis Thunbergii Atropurpurea as one site says there is no need to prune or cut as it will only grow to about 3' 6" and another site says it will grow to 5 feet.
Can anyone help me please!!
LLx
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 20, 2007 14:14:19 GMT
My Berberis Thunbergii Atropurpurea has reached about 8 feet tall and I have had to prune it cos its trying to do the same in spread.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 20, 2007 14:20:15 GMT
I have both those plants in my garden and they are both bigger than that by a LOT. The Berberis is beautiful and has bushed out really well so I trim it so I can see out of my kitchen window! The Pyracantha is about 10 ft tall and growing.......
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Post by isabella on Jan 20, 2007 14:24:07 GMT
I love Berberis darwinii - Lovely evergreen foliage with small holly like leaves and beautiful orange flowers - easy to keep to a reasonable size,too  |
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Post by lottielady on Jan 20, 2007 14:26:22 GMT
Would you say they were fast or slow growing 4P/Sweetie/Pam? ( I did'nt see all the other replies - sorry!)
LLx
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Post by sweetleaf on Jan 20, 2007 14:35:23 GMT
The Berberis has been in about 31/2 years and really only put its roots down the first year but now its growing fast, vicious thorns too!  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 20, 2007 14:38:47 GMT
I would go for the Berberis for a hedge actually I think. I have two plants both in mixed shrubby borders in different parts of the garden and they both seem to be the dominant plant in both! I think a hedge of them would look pretty good after a year or so.
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Post by isabella on Jan 20, 2007 14:41:36 GMT
I would say Berberis darwinii are reasonably slow growers,LL - we prune ours after flowering to keep it small - about 3 - 4 '
I can't remember planting it so it must be a few years old!
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Post by lottielady on Jan 20, 2007 15:00:00 GMT
Thank you ladies! I want something thorny and spikey as I have had plants stolen from the front garden on a few different occasions and as long as I plant in far enough from the path I think it will be ok.
Berberis it is!
LLx
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Post by Jonah on Jan 20, 2007 15:10:31 GMT
I have a Berberis thunbergii rose glow and it seems to be very slow growing. I thought they were meant to be good on clay.  It also seems to get stripped every year by something. My pyracanthas on the other had have romped away, not out of control, but much better established. |
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Post by lottielady on Jan 20, 2007 15:26:34 GMT
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 20, 2007 16:34:52 GMT
Noooo, not Hawthorn....I planted a short hedge of this and it is a PAIN (literally). It grows so quickly it has to be pruned hard every year which is a very painful occupation, because it's pruned I rarely get flowers or berries on it and I rue the day I ever planted it. It was pre this generation of young daughter and grandchildren so it's my own fault.. The single one I planted up the top of the garden, on the other hand, is lovely (although it was supposed to be the red one but it's not  !). |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 20, 2007 17:52:36 GMT
Actually LL, this is a fantastic shrub or hedge for wildlife AND it's native! You could plant some on your lottie ;D S x |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 20, 2007 17:54:36 GMT
I think Pyracantha will give a better display of berries in the autumn but it's better grown as a wall shrub as opposed to a hedge!
S x
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Post by andy on Jan 21, 2007 9:34:20 GMT
It would be pyrecantha for me....evergreen, white flowers in late spring, lovely berries in autumn and winter.
Despite there being some real evil berberis around, the thorns from pyrecantha hurt big time....they are very hard and sharp.
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 21, 2007 9:45:45 GMT
Pyrecantha for me too. The only problem with using as a hedge and trimming is you will lose some of the lovely berries. I had several along one side of our boundry, very poor soil and we are 4' ish higher than next door on that side so it's very dry. I've started to try and layer the 2 I have left of the 6 I originally planted  tying in young shoots as they grow and while they are still flexible. Have unfortunately broken off several bits of the more mature branches trying to tie them in but they are sprouting nicely now. I love the dark wood of the branches too. |
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It also seems to get stripped every year by something. My pyracanthas on the other had have romped away, not out of control, but much better established.
!).
tying in young shoots as they grow and while they are still flexible. Have unfortunately broken off several bits of the more mature branches trying to tie them in