Japanese Barberry 'Atropurpurea'
One thing that most native plant enthusiasts know is that
native plants facilitate and support insect lifecycles, which is essential for
maintaining healthy wildlife populations.
But what about discouraging unwanted insect populations? For instance, the recent findings that
Japanese Barberry is a significant factor in increased deer tick populations,
with a strong scientific correlation between Lyme Disease occurrence and Japanese
Barberry population.
Japanese Barberry leaves, thorns, and berries
Drive
through any neighborhood and you’ll see this purple shrub, with small leaves
and thorns, planted in yards as landscape shrubs. The particular variety that I see most is called ‘Crimson Pygmy’, or Berberis
thunbergii var. atropurpurea
‘Crimson Pygmy’. Talk about big name for
a small plant. The Japanese Barberry species is
wreaking havoc on our health in more ways than one. Sure it has escaped into natural areas,
displaced native plants, and taken over to the point that it is a classified
invasive. But more than that, the humid underside
of tiny rounded barberry leaves make this the perfect place for the deer tick
to breed prolifically. White Footed Mice, one of the deer tick carriers,
also love the protection that Barberry thorns provide. Pair this with the characteristics of
invasive plants and it’s a recipe for disaster in terms of public health.
Ninebark 'Diablo'
So why
is this plant so popular anyways? I
think it’s the color and the hardiness.
This particular variety has a reddish purple leaf. If there were one invasive plant to get rid
of in your landscape, it’s this one. If
you like the color of ‘Crimson Pygmy’, try our native Ninebark in ‘Coppertina’, ‘Summer Wine’, or 'Diablo'. You can still get that purple color in a native shrub without creating deer tick habitat. In fact, you'll be creating habitat for beneficial insects. Spread the word to your neighbors and friends who might have Barberry in their landscape.
No comments:
Post a Comment