Berberis chingii
Ching's barberry
A small evergreen shrub to about 2m tall, much branched from the base with narrow glossy green leaves to 8cm long that are white to very pale silvery grey-green underneath. with whorls of impressive, long, sharp spines underneath each set of leaves. The flowers are in dangling clusters of up to 14 yellow blooms are followed by small white fruits in autumn
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | Green Grey Silver | White | ||
Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Berberis can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with spiny shoots bearing simple, often spine-toothed leaves, and small yellow or orange flowers in axillary clusters or racemes, followed by small berries
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a range of soils and locations, but grows best in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, though flowering and fruiting are best in full sun. See berberis cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in early spring. Many species can cross freely in gardens, so seed-raised plants can often be hybrids. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 8; trim hedges after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and berberis sawfly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sometimes by honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.