Berberis hybrido-gagnepainii Chenaultii - Barberry

Berberis x hybridogagnepainii Chenaultii is a robust hybrid armed with long thorns hidden under its beautiful slender, bright green leaves. This large ground-covering bush is adorned with small bright yellow flowers in spring, followed by pretty black-blue berries in autumn. In winter, its foliage often turns bronze, adding some colour to the garden. Undemanding, and attractive all year round, this barberry is perfect in a defensive hedge, and it will not be out of place in a bed composed of evergreen shrubs.

Berberis x hybridogagnepainii is a hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of two very resistant Chinese species: Berberis verruculosa and B. gagnepainii. The cultivar 'Chenaultii' is characterized by a rounded, compact, and spreading habit, supported by long arched branches of yellow-grey, equipped with long thorns. Its growth is rapid, reaching a height of 1.50 m (4 in 11 ft) with a spread of about 2 m (6.5ft). In May-June, depending on the climate, small clusters of 2 to 4 small flowers bloom at the axil of the branches, suspended from the branch by long peduncles. The bell-shaped and rounded flowers are quite bright yellow and very nectar-rich. They are followed by the formation of small fleshy, chalky blue-black, ovoid fruits, about 1 cm (0.4 in) long and quite decorative. The evergreen foliage is the main asset of this barberry. It is composed of clusters of small and narrow, leathery leaves 4 cm (1.6 in) long, with wavy edges. They are a shiny dark green on the upper side, with a bloom on the underside. They often turn bronze due to the cold.

Berberis x hybridogagnepainii Chenaultii Barberry is a truly adaptable shrub in terms of growing conditions, and it makes a dense bush in a defensive hedge. It can tolerate ordinary, even dry and chalky soil, and can be planted in front of a decorative, defensive hedge, useful for the small fauna of the garden, for example, along with botanical roses (Rosa rugosa, R.moyesii, R. sericea Pteracantha...), Mahonia Charity, variegated holly, Japanese quinces... In large borders or beds, it can be paired with ground-covering roses, Nandina 'Firepower', St. John's Wort 'Hidcote', Sarcococca or Lonicera nitida for example. This shrub can also be used to cover a slope along a staircase or to highlight the design of a pathway.