How to save a plant cut down to its stump

Question

The city mistakenly cut one of our bushes outside of the house down to its stump, thinking the plant had been left as trash. We would like to save it. It is a bush we had for almost ten years. What can we do to regrow it? It is a perennial with thorns and small leaves that turn red in the fall, then fall off and regrow in spring. How do we keep the stump with its exposed parts where branches were lopped off alive through the winter?

Answer 1

It sounds like your shrub is a barberry. Here is more information about these plants:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/barberry/barberry-shrub-care-tips.htm

Your plant may still be able to grow back next spring. For the winter, you could try mulching over the area where the roots are with dry leaves as in this technique:

http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/nov99tip.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/mulching-plants-in-winter.htm

Answer 2

Thank you! Yes, it is a barberry. Thanks for the mulching tip. Will try it and keep fingers crossed!