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Berberris Darwinii

harmonyharmony Posts: 370
in Plants
Hi, can anyone tell me what is wrong with this Berberris. The leaves are usually glossy green and its looking really sick with some leaf drop and the rest have a pink tinge. I do hope its nothing serious as I love the beautiful orange flowers and glossy leaves.
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Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,442
    Normally my guess would be it's suffering due to harsh weather, although l know that's not true at the moment. Have you had really cold winds, etc?  Also they like it fairly dry, so if it's in a damp position that could be a factor.
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    Too wet. Work a bit of sand in round the roots.
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • harmonyharmony Posts: 370
    Thankyou
    Do you think it will recover?.
  • harmonyharmony Posts: 370
    My Berberis Darwinii (above) is not showing any signs of flowering but has tiny new leaf buds. There are other shrubs and perennials around that are perfectly fine so only the Berberis is suffering. My question is do i cut it back ( if so when ) or watch and wait. Also when is the best time to sow calendula seeds in the ground. Thanks
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,461
    That is a very tall very old berberis.
    If the ground was too wet it would never have got that tall.

    Suspect something more serious ....Pytophthora maybe?

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/phytophthora-host-list.pdf

    May be terminal.
    Just watch and wait to see if it regrows.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • harmonyharmony Posts: 370
    Thankyou, I will look that up.
    If it doesn't recover do you think I could use the main branch framework as a support for a climber?.






  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    If there are new growth buds then I thi k it's OK and the leaves are last years that didn't fully drop. Mine lost its leaves over winter but is coming back fine. It does need pruning though. After flowering cut it back by a third and thin out congested growth in the center. 
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,461
    Err!
    Berberis darwinii should be evergreen.
    It should not loose its leaves like that.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Silver surfer said:
    Err!
    Berberis darwinii should be evergreen.
    It should not loose its leaves like that.
    Usually they are but mine loses its leaves then comes back in spring. 
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,461
    Bijdezee said:

    Usually they are but mine loses its leaves then comes back in spring. 
    Goodness. I am amazed.Thought it was a hardy as old boots.
    It is Hardiness 5.....Quote RHS...."H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)"
    Are you very much colder in Bruges?
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
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