Cretan barberry

Also known as: Information to be completed

A tough, low-growing, and sometimes prostrate, extremely thorny little shrub from Greece, Crete and Cyprus. It's a sun lover and drought tolerant once well established. It has small oval mid green leaves that turn good fiery colours briefly before they fall in the autumn. Short clusters of pale yellow flowers in sping become tiny blue-black berries that develop a pale blueberry-like bloom in the autumn. Birds love the berries.

Scientific classification

Species: Cretan barberry (Berberis cretica)
Genus: Berberis
Family: Berberidaceae

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Shrubs
Plant type: 0.5-1 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Autumn · Spring · Summer
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Cretan barberry pictures

Distribution of Cretan barberry

Distribution map

Mediterranean

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of Cretan barberry

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Cretan barberry care guide

Water deeply during extended heat spells, dry tolerant overall
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Water deeply during extended heat spells, dry tolerant overall

Fertilizing

Minimal slow-release woody feed applied single dose early spring

Pruning

Usually little pruning is needed. Lightly shape if necessary, removing dead, damaged or diseased shoots. Prune after flowering.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in early spring. Many Berberis species cross freely in gardens, so seed-raised plants are often hybrids. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Growing

Grows in any soil except waterlogged. A sunny position will encourage fruiting. Drought tolerant once established. For more information please see shrub cultivation.

More growing and care information →