cutting back barberry bushes

My barberry bushes are very woody on the inside and have just a layer of leaves on the branch ends. Can I cut back the barberries close to the ground and will they come back in fuller form?

Thank you,
Jean

1 Comment (Open | Close)

1 Comment To "cutting back barberry bushes"

#1 Comment By Alisma On 08/30/2016 @ 10:48 am

You can use what is known as “renewal pruning” for your barberries. Basically, in the first year you should select 1/3 of each shrub’s branches and cut them back close to the ground, leaving the other 2/3 to support the plant. Then repeat the process for two more years until all the old branches have been cut back. Meanwhile, the shrub should put out new branches.

See the following article for more:

https://extension.psu.edu/plants/green-industry/news/2012/hacking-whacking-dealing-with-overgrown-shrubs ^[1]

Article printed from Gardening Know How Questions & Answers: https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com

URL to article: https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com/cutting-back-barberry-bushes/

URLs in this post:

[1] https://extension.psu.edu/plants/green-industry/news/2012/hacking-whacking-dealing-with-overgrown-shrubs: https://extension.psu.edu/plants/green-industry/news/2012/hacking-whacking-dealing-with-overgrown-shrubs

Have any questions about this topic? Visit us at https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com to ask your questions and get friendly answers from gardening experts.

You can also find us at:
'Like' us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardeningknowhow
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gardenknowhow - @gardenknowhow
Follow us on Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/gardenknowhow/