Berberis x ottawensis 'Superba' Hybrid Variety
Overall Description
Very
large rounded, slightly oval-shaped leaves are a beautiful dark
burgundy purple. Much larger leaves than other red barberry. Very fast
growth - excellent for hedges, borders, etc. Fairly uncommon type of
Barberry, but very pretty. Has a somewhat more open growth habit than
most of the other Barberry varieties we grow & offer. Superba
barberry does require some steady pruning / trimming when very young to
establish good, full bodied, branching habit - will tend to shoot out
very long leaders if left untrimmed.
If you have the minor time required to keep this variety trimmed &
in check when young ( 3 or 4 trimmings per season ), then you need to
give this barberry variety some very serious consideration - best
foliage of any barberry we have ever seen.....without any doubt at
all.
Plant Facts & Specifications
Mature Height: 5-7 ft
Mature Width: 6-8 ft
Growth rate: Moderate to fast ( 8"-14" avg per yr ) up to 24"-30" leaders / shoots will blast off each season if left untrimmed.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8 ( if unsure of your zone, please use zone finder below )
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade - best growth rate and color in sunny spots
Soil Preference: Average, fertile, slightly moist - well drained. Mulching recommended.
Foliage Color & Texture: Much larger leaves than most Barberry varieties that are commonly seen in the trade today. Mature leaves are about the size of a half dollar coin. Both newer growth, as well as older, mature leaves all are a nice uniform dark purple burgundy if planted in adequate sun exposure. Leaves are rather thick - and branches sport the same spiny barbs that are typical of most all Barberries.
Flower, Cone, Or Berry Facts: Small
white flowers can be observed in little clusters beginning in early
April, and lasting well through the end of May. Exact flowering time
will vary, depending on your area of the country - the warmer your
climate, the earlier you will see them. Small 1/4" long bright red,
oval shaped seed pods are only occasionally seen on Red Superba Barberry in
late fall, after the leaves have dropped - seeds not nearly as commonly seen as with Berberis thunbergii species.
Diseases / Insects: Usually
barberries have little or no trouble at all under normal landscape
conditions, but some of the possible noted pests / diseases that could
be encountered are: Bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, root rots, rusts
(Japanese Barberry is not susceptible), wilt, barberry aphid, barberry
webworm, and possibly scale.
Fertilization / Feeding: Either
water
soluble ( Miracle Gro, or equivalent ), or granular all purpose tree
& shrub fertilizer is recommended for regular maintenance type
feedings. Other granular types with 6-12-12, or 10-10-10 ratio is
acceptable. Best to begin a regular scheduled feeding / fertilizing
schedule in very early spring ( upon discovering new bud break ), and
to continue regular weekly feedings through the entire spring season,
up until early summer -
avoid feeding during hot summer months, and directly after
transplanting. Another shorter feeding schedule can be resumed again in
very late summer through mid fall if desired to give the plants another
quick burst of nutrition, but usually not necessary. 
