Old Barberry

[Jrbrown4]

My thought

I like the second picture in post 10. The slight tilt in angle and movement of the trunks is great. The only distraction is the large circular scar in the base but that could easily be carved to make it look more natural. No matter what good luck and I think you have a few options here.

 

[catfish chapstick]

here is an update of the plant today. i know everyone said to tip it upright more.. so instead i tilted it down even more in the opposite direction in a slightly larger pot. the more upright i tilted it the taller it got and it just doesn't appeal to me.

i like this angle for the new front. this angle also puts the apex right over the base. the plant is actually lunging toward the camera which also diminishes the height that i mentioned.

 

[catfish chapstick]

here are the sides that show its tilt better.

 

[digger714]

Your tree is looking great. Ive been watching the thread since you started it. I have several of these also. You have to make sure where you throw the trimmings, but they are cool trees. Where do you keep yours as far as sunlight? Have you had any trouble with it getting burned? Mine have been doing great, and one day last week, it was 98 i think, i got home and some leaves were getting crispy on one of them. I have 5 or so in my landscape on that side of the yard, and they do great. Mine are still in grow containers. They were collected last winter. Keep up the good work, and keep us updated.

 

[Zach Smith]

Have you considered planting this guy on a slab? It strikes me that this is the sort of composition that might be enhanced by some "landscaping."

Just a thought.

Very nice material, of course, but you already knew that.

Zach

 

[catfish chapstick]

Your tree is looking great. Ive been watching the thread since you started it. I have several of these also. You have to make sure where you throw the trimmings, but they are cool trees. Where do you keep yours as far as sunlight? Have you had any trouble with it getting burned? Mine have been doing great, and one day last week, it was 98 i think, i got home and some leaves were getting crispy on one of them. I have 5 or so in my landscape on that side of the yard, and they do great. Mine are still in grow containers. They were collected last winter. Keep up the good work, and keep us updated.

thanks digger, i have two of these old barberris and i keep them both in full sun. they can handle a bit of drought but i keep them well watered. i haven't had any problem with leaves burning.

Have you considered planting this guy on a slab? It strikes me that this is the sort of composition that might be enhanced by some "landscaping."

no i had not considered that. perhaps in the future i can get a slab and see what it looks like. i usually don't consider slabs because i just love pottery/ceramics.

 

[catfish chapstick]

okay i have to take it back, many of the leaves did burn on a hot day about a month ago. it pulled through but doesn't look very good... i have a feeling it may die back a bit this winter if not die

 

[digger714]

Most of the branches on mine survived. They arent as full as they were before, but i think will be ok. I have new growth popping all over the whole tree. Looks like some of the branches will have to be replaced with new growth. I think ill just let it be until next spring, then take off what doesnt come back. Hope all is well.

 

[catfish chapstick]

the tree has bounced back a lot. i still cant tell if there will be any lost branches. here it is today.

 

[Papa]

I really like the third tilted picture. What did you finally decide ? I would love to see what you did and how it looks now after almost a year since this post. Papa

 

[catfish chapstick]

here is a winter update

 

[digger714]

Looking good. Ive got three im ready to put in smaller containers this year, maybe even some kind of bonsai pot. Ill put up some pics of the chopped trees when i do. Good looking trunks on them. Do you know which cultivar it is?

 

[catfish chapstick]

Looking good. Ive got three im ready to put in smaller containers this year, maybe even some kind of bonsai pot. Ill put up some pics of the chopped trees when i do. Good looking trunks on them. Do you know which cultivar it is?

thanx, its a "Crimson Pygmy Barberry" i believe. they are tough plants, i have a second one that i will eventually post. i'd like to see the ones you have.

i really want to get a different pot for this one. any ideas on pot shape? i like the pot its in i just think there is a better one out there. maybe rectangle? square? idk.. the pot its in now is mica.

 

[digger714]

Heres some pics of mine. They are Berberis Thunbergii Bagatelle. The first is going to be a multitrunk. Its about 7" at the base of the trunks. The second is going to be a semi cascade, Its about 5" at the base, and the third an informal upright at about 5" before the root flare. The one big root on that side makes it look a little larger, but it has a nice taper with where im gonna chop. I put some cloth around my idea of the cuts. They were collected in november 09 when a landscape was being taken out for an addition. Im going to change it to a bonsai soil this spring, but not sure if i should chop them yet or not. Im taking a couple to my meeting in feb. to get some opinions. I think the bark on barberries are pretty cool. Especially when they get a little older. These are almost 28 years old now, not counting how long to take to get to 3 gallon size when planted.

I think a modern pot with lots of texture for the bark would be good. Maybe a light color, but im nowhere close to having any in finished pots yet, so im definately not the one to ask. Ive got a hundred trees growing or in training containers, but none in finished pots yet. All my pottery is on the bench for decoration for now, lol. Good luck with it, and keep posting pics. Ill put up more if we do anything to it next month.

Brad

 

[catfish chapstick]

Heres some pics of mine. The first is going to be a multitrunk. Its about 7" at the base of the trunks. The second is going to be a semi cascade, Its about 5" at the base, and the third an informal upright at about 5" before the root flare. The one big root on that side makes it look a little larger, but it has a nice taper with where im gonna chop. I put some cloth around my idea of the cuts. They were collected in november 09 when a landscape was being taken out for an addition. Im going to change it to a bonsai soil this spring, but not sure if i should chop them yet or not. Im taking a couple to my meeting in feb. to get some opinions. I think the bark on barberries are pretty cool. Especially when they get a little older. These are almost 28 years old now, not counting how long to take to get to 3 gallon size when planted.

I think a modern pot with lots of texture for the bark would be good. Maybe a light color, but im nowhere close to having any in finished pots yet, so im definately not the one to ask. Ive got a hundred trees growing or in training containers, but none in finished pots yet. All my pottery is on the bench for decoration for now, lol. Good luck with it, and keep posting pics. Ill put up more if we do anything to it next month.

Brad

those look great! i'd love to see what they become, i love this species, i have a second barberry like the one i have on this thread only i haven't done anything to it except stick it in a somewhat shallow pot. i'll post a picture in the spring if it survives winter.

 

[rockm]

"I think a modern pot with lots of texture for the bark would be good"

Not really. A textured pot that mimics the bark would cancel both out. You should seek a bit of contrast in the pot and trunk--a stark, plain pot would emphasize the bark without drawing attention away from it.

 

[digger714]

That makes sense rockm. The more i picture what you are saying in my mind, i can see a cream color shallow pot. Like i said, im definately not the one to choose pots, yet. Thanks again.

 

[catfish chapstick]

i've been looking at pots but im not sure how shallow is too shallow given the extremely wide base

 

[catfish chapstick]

the plant is looking healthy. some dieback on the top has shortened the tree some and i have had it in the shade for a a few weeks to get the leaves to "green" becuse when the tree gets a lot of sun the leaves turn dark red making it more difficult to get a good photograph... anyway, im about to give it a trim and put it back into the sun. this tree has been a good one but i'm interested in trading or selling it. pm me if interested.

 

[catfish chapstick]

the tree has died back a bit on each apex. im not at all sure why. i was told that this was likely to happen. i still like the way it looks but i worry that it could continue to die back in the coming years. anyone have any insight?

here is the way it looks today.