Barberry Banned in NY State - Get Yours Now!

As of March 10, 2015 Barberry is on the list of invasive species in NY State. That means this season is the last chance to add some beautiful barberry to your landscape. 

Barberry is great because it's deer and rabbit resistant on account of its thorny exterior! Barberry does not play well with others and has a tendency to overpower other plants because of the chemical it emits. That being said, it's best to not try to place other plants near it. 

More about Barberry 

Growing barberry bushes is easy and many city dwellers choose this shrub type due to its ability to tolerate urban conditions much better than other varieties of landscape shrubs. They can even be grown in containers.

Barberries like full sun or partial shade and are very adaptable to a wide range of soil types as long as it drains well. Transplant barberries just after flowering or in late winter.
Barberry Shrub Care

When it comes to barberry shrub care, you’ll find that it’s pretty minimal. In fact, pruning barberry plants may be the most work performed with this shrub.

If you are keeping your barberry shrubs as a hedge, it is necessary to prune a couple of times a year. Pruning barberry plants increase shrub health and vigor. Prune for shape during the winter or fall after the plant has fruited. Remove dead wood during the summer and winter months.

A 3-inch layer of mulch helps with moisture retention.

Fertilizing barberry shrubs is generally not necessary.

Source: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/barberry/barberry-shrub-care-tips.htm

About Globe Blue Spruce

Height: 5 feet

Spread: 5 feet

Sunlight:  Full Sun/ Partial Shade

Hardiness Zone: 2

Other Names: Blue Colorado Spruce;Colorado Blue Spruce

Description:

A small, dense globe-shaped shrub, very unlike the species, as a mounded form that eventually becomes a compact and dense Christmas tree-like shape, adaptable and hardy; intensely blue needles, an excellent choice for form and color in the garden

Ornamental Features:

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce has attractive blue foliage which emerges silvery blue in spring. The needles are ornamentally significant but remain blue through the winter. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. The rough gray bark is not particularly outstanding.

Landscape Attributes:

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• General Garden Use

Plant Characteristics:

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

This is a selection of a native North American species.

Source: http://plants.bachmanslandscaping.com/12070012/Plant/1066/Dwarf_Globe_Blue_Spruce