Berberis darwinii

Berberis

Species Tolerances

  • Drought Tolerance: Medium
  • Shade Tolerance: Yes
  • Waterlogging Tolerance: Low
  • Frost Tolerance (trees from warmer climates may be frost tolerant, but their flowers may not be): Yes
  • RHS Hardiness: H5
  • Optimum Conditions for Growth:
    A small evergreen tree or shrub which grows anywhere and tolerates any soil (except constantly waterlogged), enjoying full sun or partial shade. No strong dependence on acid or alkaline soil pH.
  • Susceptibility to Pest/Disease:
    No major pest or diseases at present. A potential host to wheat stem rust Puccinia graminis, so not ercommended to grow Berberis species adjacent to wheat growing areas

Berberis darwinii/ Bee Happy Plants & Seeds

Service to Pollinators

  • Summary of Service to Pollinators:
    Very floriferous and a good source of nectar and pollen for a wide range of bees.
  • Nectar Value to Pollinators: 3 (of 0-3)
  • Honeydew Value to Pollinators: 0 (of 0-3)
  • Pollen Value to Bees: 3 (of 0-3)
  • Flowering Period: May

Risks

  • Human Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Livestock Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Invasive Risk: No
  • Suckering: No

Products

  • Edible Fruit: Yes
  • Edible Leaves: No
  • Edible Sap: No
  • Edible Seeds: Yes
  • Honey, major source in UK: Yes
  • For any medicinal potential, see 'Further Details' below.
  • Timber: Yes
  • Livestock Fodder: Yes
  • Other Products:
    Edible berries fresh and dried are a delicacy in other cooking cultures, with potential here for health benefits too. Seeds also edible.

Utility

  • Nitrogen Fixation: No
  • Organic Matter Accumulation: Insufficient Data
  • Phytoremediation: Insufficient Data
  • Deacidification: Insufficient Data
  • Windbreak: Yes
  • Soil Erosion Control: Insufficient Data
  • Shade or Shelter: No
  • Plant Support: Insufficient Data
  • Integrated Pest Management: Insufficient Data
  • Wildlife Value: Yes
  • Wildlife Value Summary:
    Provides berries for a large number of birds and mammals
  • Graduated Nativeness Classification
    ⓘ
    1. Historic Native
    2. Historic Introduction
    9. Neutral Introduction
    : 9 (of 1-10)

Further Details

    Thorns provide protection. Timber hard, heavy and fine. To date, approximately 100 species belonging to the Berberidaceae family, specifically to the Berberis and Mahonia genera, and interspecific hybrids, have been confirmed susceptible to Puccinia graminis (wheat stem rust). The incidence of common barberry (Berberis vulgaris, a related species) in Europe has significantly increased due to the repeal of eradication campaigns and legislation banning the planting of barberry plants near cereal crops and its re-introduction promoted by natural conservationists. Unlikely to be an invasive risk owing to its young shoots and leaves being very palatable to rabbits and deer. Berberine, universally present in all parts of Berberis species but especially the rhizomes, has marked antibacterial effects and has also shown anti-tumour activity.