Species Ottawa Barberry
red-yellow fruits with burgundy leaves on brown-grey stems and branches

Ottawa Barberry

Berberis xottawensis

Ottawa Barberry (Berberis xottawensis) is a hardy deciduous shrub found mainly in North America. It features yellow-green foliage and deep red berries in summer. The berries are edible when ripe and make a great addition to jams and jellies. In spring, clusters of small, pale-yellow flowers cover the branches, which turn to bright red berries in late summer and autumn. These berries remain on the plant until winter. Ottawa Barberry prefers a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Although it is an adaptable and easy-care plant, it should be pruned regularly to maintain shape and health. This lovely shrub adds year-round interest to any garden!

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

full sun

Soil:

Clay, Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Slough Grass should be watered lightly and frequently during the summer months. In the winter months, refrain from regular watering and only water if the area experiences a drought. On average, Slough Grass should receive about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season, spread out over several applications.

sunlight

Slough Grass needs direct sunlight and prefers a sunny and well draining area to thrive. This plant requires about 8 - 10 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth. Ideally it should get at least half of the sunlight during the morning hours and the other half should be received in the late afternoon. Slough grass should be planted in an area where it can receive direct sunlight for the maximum number of hours during the day.

pruning

Slough Grass should be pruned annually in the late winter or early spring. Pruning should include removal of any dead or dying leaves, thinning of broken, damaged, or overcrowded leaves, and removal of any stems that have become brittle or are no longer producing growth. Pruning should be done lightly to preserve the plants natural shape, and only remove what is necessary. Avoid pruning back to bare stems, as this can weaken the plant. With careful pruning, Slough Grass should remain healthy and vigorous.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvest Fruit

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.