Golden Rocket Barberry

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Are there any shrubs that are a lot like these but an evergreen? I almost picked it up at the nursery last night, but I need an evergreen for the spot I wanted to put it.

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/4699/golden-rocket-barberry/

It's a perfect size and I'm attracted to the showy color.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Where are you located? Yes, there are broadleaved evergreen shrubs with yellow or golden foliage but their suitability is limited by location.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
Oops yes that would help. I need to figure out how to add that to my name.

Zone 9. Roseville, CA...a little bit outside of Sacramento.
Related Discussions
barberry orange rocket
Q
Comments (3)
Per the link below, I think it is fine. From the link Asexual Reproduction Asexual reproduction is the propagation of a plant to multiply the plant without the use of genetic seeds to assure an exact genetic copy of the plant being reproduced. Any known method of asexual reproduction which renders a true genetic copy of the plant may be employed. Acceptable modes of asexual reproduction would include but may not be limited to: Rooting Cuttings Grafting and Budding Apomictic Seeds Bulbs Division Slips Layering Rhizomes Runners Corms Tissue Culture Nucellar Embryos Also...though it may appear to come true, it might be a tad different, to the point of not being noticeable. My, that is a pretty barberry. chemocurl...aka Sue oh...and yes Orange Rocket appears to be patented. Here is a link that might be useful: Asexual Reproduction
...See More
Golden Barberry in deer country
Q
Comments (4)
The context of the relationship between barberry, deer, and ticks was for forest environments where barberry dominated the understory. The invasive barberry was forming a dense shrub layer that provided cool conditions for ticks. Thinning the shrub layer reduced local tick populations by 80%. In the garden, barberry wouldn't be any more attractive to ticks than any other similar shrub and barberry is fairly deer resistant. That said, barberry is considered invasive in many areas and should be planted with caution. Here is a link that might be useful: Ticks, deer, & barberry
...See More
Barberry Golden Glow Pillar shrub
Q
Comments (13)
I was curious and googled pruning Helmond's Pillar which is a similar shape to yours. Most of the resources said 'doesn't need pruning' and this one sentence: "Remove any floppy or unruly shoots from fastigiate berberis, such as 'Helmond Pillar', to preserve shape. You can prune other varieties after flowering" The two people I know who grow H's Pillar discretely tie it up with twine: one in the winter to keep it from splaying the other all the time because it is planted in too much shade and grows loosely. Just curious, Have you checked to see if it is on your state's invasive plants list.? I love the plant, but it has become a problem in open woodlands in Mass.
...See More
Any experience with "Orange Rocket" barberry?
Q
Comments (21)
IDK about being more risk adverse :-) Since agriculture is a primary industry here, one would think that factors that would adversely impact this industry - like wheat rust, for instance - would be very closely monitored and controlled if they came into play at all. The negative impact on agriculture does account for a large majority of our noxious weed/invasive species listing.......but no mention or notation on barberries at all.
...See More
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
There are few BLE shrubs that will be as columnar as the barberry yet have a gold foliage but you could prune them to maintain a more narrow profile. You could consider Choisya ternata 'Sundance' or Escallonia 'Gold Brian'. And not at all columnar (much more of a low mounding shrub) but with great foliage color is Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'. With the first two, I'd be careful with how much sun they were placed in - full sun tends to bleach them out and they look anemic and sickly. Not a concern with the abelia - the more sun the merrier! If a shadier location, look at Lonicera nitida 'Baggeson's Gold' or 'Esmee Gold'.

There are also conifers (needled evergreens) that could work - Cupressus sempervirens 'Swane's Golden' (very narrow but height may be a concern), Cupressus macrocarpa 'Wilma Goldcrest' and any number of other yellow conifers (pines, Chamaecyparis/false cypress, and spruces (Picea spp)) that would fill the bill. Some take sun without discoloring or burning/scorching better than others.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years ago
Here's how to add your location to your profile so it posts by your name:

Go to Your Houzz in the upper right of every page, click Edit Profile, and on the left side click advanced settings. Well down the advanced settings page is a blank labeled Climate Zone for Garden Forums along with a link to find your zone.

If you add info on your state or the nearest large city you will get even better information since zone only relates to average coldest winter temperatures.

Then return to the top of the page and click Done Editing.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks, gardengal. I don't know what BLE stands for though. :)

I need to keep them small. 2'x2' is ideal, but could be 2.5'x3'. I started looking at Coprosma "Lemon Lime". It's super shiny colorful foliage is attractive. :) I saw it at the nursery but I'm going to google it today to see more details.

I also thought about a Sweetpea "Petite Butterfly" which I know doesn't have as striking of foliage but I LOVE Sweetpeas. Even had Sweetpea flowers in my wedding flowers. :)

Need to google them both. One that remains sort of columnar would probably be preferred. We have a small retaining wall around the corners of our patio, with small pillars that have lights on top. On the yard side of the pillar is a junction box/outlet that was required for the electrical there. I'd like something to block the outlet, but not be so fragile that we could plug stuff in there (occasionally) and not have stems break off just from bending them slightly aside, etc. I know it would all make more sense if I would take photos. I'll try to get some today.

I'll also google all of your suggestions today. Thanks.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks NHBabs, got that taken care of. :)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
BLE is Broad Leaved Evergreen as opposed to conifers which are needled evergreens.

Petite Butterfly is a cultivar of Polygala fruticosa. So, although it is called 'sweet pea' bush it is not a true member of the pea family. It will not look much like the sweet peas in your bouquet and will have no scent.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Coprosma is a great choice!! I forget about them because they are not reliably hardy in my area - although my current selection (in a container ) has survived through the last couple of winters. They will stay compact - good size for you - and have a great range of colored foliage options.
User
Original Author
7 years ago
YAY! Finally I made a "great choice" (as opposed to my thread about Maples, which we did not go with...lol). Woohoo.

Next question: do they mind being trimmed back. The one that "stays" 3'x3' is the Lemon Lime, but I really like the colors of some of the others. :) I should have taken a pic of the signs of all the varieties they have at my local nursery. One was quite orangey, the other more red, I THINK. But I just remember those getting too big for my space so I didn't take a pic to remember them later. If they tolerate being trimmed I might go for the orangey one. Wish I knew their names.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Coprosma tolerates pruning well. And they do come in an amazing array of colors and color combos. My containerized plant is 'Rainbow Surprise' but 'Evening Glow', 'Tequila Sunrise', 'Taupata Gold' and 'Pina Colada' all offer great coloring. And if you want a very dark one, look for 'Roy's Red'.