Don't miss out!

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter and get the latest from Garden Help:

Gardening News
Great Competitions
Special Offers
Videos & Projects
Reviews

For a limited time we are also giving a FREE GIFT to every new subscriber. Sign up and receive your free copy of '12 Months in the Garden'


x

Garden Help
Sign Up
Diagnose plant problems and treat garden pests


Get Gardening Help!

Home > Question >

What has stripped all the leaves off my berberis bush?


Our Advice:

This the Berberis sawfly, the pupae will now be in the soil below the bush. Keep disturbing the soil so birds can find and eat them. Next year in late-August use Sprayday Bayer Greenfly Killer'>Greenfly Killer from SBM or Resolva Bug Killer from Westland to kill adults and caterpillars. These products last several weeks and should give good control.

Gardening Expert:
Steve Bradley

Here are some related questions:



Not what you are looking for?


If you can't find what you are looking for on the website then you can ask one of our experts. To get in touch with us Click Here

We will try to get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.


Here is some more information for you:


Berberis: Overview

Berberis is a genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs that belongs to the family Berberidaceae. It is native to regions in Asia, Europe, and North America. The shrubs are grown for their ornamental value and their medicinal properties, with some species being used as a source of food and dye.

Berberis: Characteristics

Berberis shrubs come in a range of sizes and shapes, with some growing up to 15 feet tall and others staying at a more modest height of 2-3 feet. The leaves are typically small and glossy, and the flowers are produced in clusters, with colours ranging from yellow to red. The shrubs also produce small, colourful berries that are edible and used for making jams and jellies.

Berberis: Cultivation

Berberis shrubs are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in a range of growing conditions. They prefer well-draining soil and a location that receives partial to full sunlight. Regular watering is necessary, especially during dry periods. Pruning can be done in the early spring to promote new growth and maintain the shape of the shrub.

Berberis: Medicinal Uses

Berberis shrubs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The root bark and stem bark contain alkaloids, including berberine, that have been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The shrubs have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive disorders, skin conditions, and infections.

Berberis: Ornamental Uses

Berberis shrubs are popular in landscaping for their ornamental value. They can be used as hedges, border plants, or as a specimen plant. Some of the more commonly grown species include Berberis thunbergii, which has bright red leaves in the fall, and Berberis darwinii, which has bright orange flowers in the spring.

Berberis shrubs are a versatile and easy-to-grow plant that can add colour and interest to any garden or landscape. Whether grown for their ornamental value or their medicinal properties, these shrubs are a great choice for any gardener looking to add a unique and useful plant to their collection.

Did you find this answer useful? Subscribe to our newsletter for gardeing news, projects, special offers and competitions.

Ask another gardening question:




Learn More About Pests and Diseases


Angle shades moth
Anthracnose
Box blight
Box tree caterpillar
Canker - Bacterial
Canker - Bleeding
Canker - Fungal
Capsids
Centipedes
Chafer grubs
Coral spot
Cutworms
Earthworms
Earwigs
Eelworms (leaf & stem)
Eelworms (soil-borne)
Froghopper
Fuchsia gall mite
Garden Ants
Grey mould
Honey fungus
Leaf cutter bees
Leaf Rolling Caterpillars
Leaf spots - Fungal
Leatherjacket
Lily beetle
Mealy bugs
Mildew - Downy
Mildew - Powdery
Millipedes
Pear midge
Phytophthora root rot
Rose Black spot
Rusts
Sawfly - Berberis
Sawfly - Gooseberry
Scale insects
Sciarid flies
Slugs
Snails
Sooty moulds
Thrips
Vine weevil
Whitefly
Wireworms
Woodlice
Woolly aphid

Latest Gardening & Horticultural Careers


Explore Gardens from Around the World


/

Powerscourt Gardens
Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

/

Nongnooch Tropical Garden
Pattaya, Thailand

/

Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

/

Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix, Arizona, USA



Garden Deals & Offers

17% Off: Chicago Balcony Set
17% Off: Chicago Balcony Set
Save &pound100.00: St.Ives Luxury Corner Set 4pc
Save £100.00: St.Ives Luxury Corner Set 4pc
Save &pound70.00: Lifetime Vertical Litre Storage Shed
Save £70.00: Lifetime Vertical Litre Storage Shed
Save 20%: Argos Home Trolley Charcoal BBQ
Save 20%: Argos Home Trolley Charcoal BBQ

Watch a Video!

How to Grow Orchids
How to Grow Orchids
Digging Up Sweet Potatoes
Digging Up Sweet Potatoes
Lawn Drainage
Lawn Drainage
Pruning Climbing Roses
Pruning Climbing Roses
Grow Your Own Potato Competition
Grow Your Own Potato Competition
Maintaining an Established Garden & Growing Plants in Shade
Maintaining an Established Garden & Growing Plants in Shade