Berberis × ottawensis 'Superba' - Ottawa Barberry
Overview
Berberis × ottawensis 'Superba' is a striking deciduous shrub that brings dramatic colour and robust structure to British gardens. This exceptional cultivar is renowned for its intense purple-red foliage that deepens to brilliant crimson in autumn, combined with clusters of bright yellow flowers in late spring. A vigorous and hardy plant, 'Superba' offers both ornamental beauty and practical benefits, making it an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking year-round interest with minimal maintenance.
Key Features
Height & Spread: 2.5-4 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide when mature
Growth Rate: Fast-growing, particularly when young
Flowering Period: May to June
Foliage: Deciduous, deep purple-red turning brilliant crimson
Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H6)
Appearance & Characteristics
Foliage
The standout feature of 'Superba' is its magnificent foliage. The oval leaves emerge in spring as deep burgundy-purple, maintaining their rich colouration throughout the growing season. Each leaf measures 2-4cm in length with a slightly serrated edge. As autumn approaches, the foliage transforms into spectacular shades of bright crimson, orange, and scarlet, creating one of the finest autumn displays of any garden shrub.
Flowers
In late spring to early summer, clusters of bright golden-yellow flowers appear along the branches, creating a stunning contrast against the dark purple foliage. Each flower cluster contains 10-25 individual blooms, and the overall effect is quite spectacular. The flowers are sweetly scented and highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Fruit
Following successful pollination, small dark red berries develop in autumn. These berries are not only decorative but also provide valuable food for birds during the winter months. The berries often persist well into winter, adding extra seasonal interest.
Growth Habit
'Superba' develops into a substantial, upright shrub with a somewhat open, architectural form. The branches are armed with sharp thorns, making it an excellent choice for security plantings. Young plants may be quite upright, but mature specimens develop a more rounded, spreading habit.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
This adaptable shrub thrives in a wide range of soil conditions:
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Drainage: Prefers well-drained soil but tolerates occasional waterlogging
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pH: Adaptable to acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline soils (pH 6.0-8.0)
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Fertility: Grows well in average garden soil; doesn't require rich conditions
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Texture: Suitable for clay, loam, chalk, or sandy soils
Light Requirements
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Full sun: Essential for the best foliage colour and flowering
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Partial sun: Acceptable, but purple colouration may be less intense
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Avoid: Deep shade, which causes poor colouration and leggy growth
Climate Tolerance
Exceptionally hardy and tolerant of:
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Temperatures down to -20°C or lower
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Strong winds and exposed positions
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Urban pollution and poor air quality
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Coastal conditions (though not direct salt spray)
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Drought conditions once established
Planting & Care
When to Plant
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Optimal time: Potted berberis can be planted at any time of year, providing the ground is not frozen or waterlogged and its not excessively windy.
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Container plants: Can be planted year-round with adequate aftercare
Planting Instructions
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Choose a location with plenty of space for the mature size
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Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth
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Loosen the soil at the bottom and sides of the hole
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Add a handful of general-purpose fertiliser to poor soils (optional)
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Place the plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot
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Backfill with excavated soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly
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Apply a 7cm layer of mulch around the base, avoiding the stem
Ongoing Care
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Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season; drought-tolerant thereafter
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Feeding: Annual spring application of balanced fertiliser encourages vigorous growth
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Mulching: Refresh mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
Pruning
When to Prune
Prune during the dormant season (December to February) to avoid disturbing flowering and to see the branch structure clearly.
Pruning Techniques
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Young plants: Minimal pruning required; remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches
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Established plants: Light annual pruning to maintain shape and remove old wood
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Renovation: Can tolerate hard pruning if overgrown; cut back by up to two-thirds
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Safety: Always wear thick gloves and protective clothing due to sharp thorns
Special Considerations
Regular pruning encourages fresh growth with the most vibrant foliage colours. Older wood tends to produce less intensely coloured leaves.
Uses in the Garden
Specimen Planting
Makes a stunning focal point in mixed borders or lawn areas, particularly effective when planted where autumn light can illuminate the foliage.
Hedging & Screening
Creates an excellent informal hedge when planted 1.5-2 metres apart. The thorny nature provides excellent security whilst maintaining ornamental value.
Mixed Borders
Provides a dramatic backdrop for lighter-coloured plants and creates excellent contrast with silver or variegated foliage plants.
Wildlife Gardens
Valuable for wildlife, providing nectar for pollinators, berries for birds, and dense thorny cover for nesting sites.
Difficult Locations
Excellent for challenging sites including:
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Exposed, windy positions
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Sloping banks requiring stabilisation
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Areas with poor or compacted soil
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Low-maintenance landscapes
Companion Plants
'Superba' creates striking combinations with:
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Silver foliage: Artemisia, lavender, or Stachys byzantina
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Ornamental grasses: Miscanthus, fountain grass, or feather reed grass
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Spring bulbs: Yellow daffodils or white tulips planted beneath
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Evergreen shrubs: Viburnum tinus, holly, or yew for winter structure
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Perennials: Alchemilla mollis, hardy geraniums, or ornamental alliums
Potential Issues
Pests & Diseases
Generally very healthy and trouble-free, but occasionally affected by:
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Aphids: Minor problem; usually controlled by natural predators
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Scale insects: Rare issue on stressed plants
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Honey fungus: Possible but uncommon
Management Considerations
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Size: Can become quite large; ensure adequate space is available
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Thorns: Very sharp spines require careful handling and consideration of location
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Vigorous growth: May need annual pruning to keep within bounds
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Suckering: Occasionally produces suckers that should be removed
Seasonal Interest
Spring
New foliage emerges in rich burgundy tones, followed by bright yellow flower clusters that create stunning colour contrasts.
Summer
Maintains deep purple-red foliage throughout the growing season, providing consistent colour and structure.
Autumn
Spectacular transformation as leaves turn brilliant crimson, orange, and scarlet. Dark red berries add additional interest.
Winter
Architectural bare branches reveal the plant's structure, while persistent berries provide ongoing interest and wildlife value.
Summary
Berberis × ottawensis 'Superba' is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance shrub that delivers outstanding colour throughout the growing season. Its combination of dramatic purple foliage, bright spring flowers, brilliant autumn colour, and practical benefits makes it suitable for both ornamental and functional plantings. While the thorns require respectful handling, this robust and reliable shrub rewards gardeners with years of spectacular performance and valuable wildlife habitat. Whether used as a specimen plant, hedge, or mixed border component, 'Superba' truly lives up to its name.
Buying Shrubs from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we sell a variety of shrubs both evergreen and deciduous with a variety of flowering times throughout the year. At certain times of the year our shrubs you buy from us may not look like the images shown on our website when deciduous leaves have fallen, the shrub has finished flowering or has been trimmed back.
Some leaves on evergreen shrubs can be damaged in winter by frost or harsh winds but in spring new leaves will readily replace those damaged. This is quite normal on many evergreen varieties and is preferable to plants grown with excessive protection that show cold shock once planted out and establish less satisfactory initially.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
* Please Note: Shrubs in 20 litre pots and above might require a pallet delivery starting at £79.99 per pallet. Depending on the exact pot size and height it may be possible to get approximately 5 plants per pallet at no extra cost. The maximum height we can dispatch on a pallet is 2.0m, this includes the height of the pallet and pot.
Shrubs are deciduous or evergreen woody plants, and often provide fragrant flowers, berries and foliage. They are good for structural framework, and they can provide a wonderful shelter and food source for wildlife.
Planting and Conditions
Container grown shrubs can be grown at any time of year. It is a little known fact that shrubs planted in the autumn and winter will be easier to look after than those planted in the spring and summer, because they will have time to establish and become hardy in the cooler months.
Plant the shrub at the same depth as it was in its original pot. Planting too deeply can result in root and stem rot.
One of the biggest causes of death in new shrubs is drought stress, so keep it well watered until it’s established.
Make sure you loosen the soil prior to planting. Most shrubs are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is fairly well draining.
Most shrubs will grow happily in containers, but they will be much more demanding on feeding and watering than shrubs in the ground would be. They will also need potting on every couple of years so that they don’t suffocate or become stunted in their pot.
Aftercare and Pruning
Once established, shrubs generally do not require much water. However, at first they need careful, frequent watering and should not be left to dry out.
Shrubs in the ground are generally not demanding and in most cases, annual feeding with general purpose fertilizer will suffice. Shrubs in containers may need more feeding; usually from early spring until late summer.
Shrubs also benefit from mulching in order to supress weeds, conserve moisture and provide vital nutrients. Mulch also greatly improves soil conditions. Shrubs can be mulched in late winter, after fertiliser has been applied, but it can be mulched through autumn to late spring as long as the ground is damp.
All shrubs benefit from dead-heading once spent flowers become apparent. Rhododendrons and Lilac especially benefit from the removal of dead flowers.
Some shrubs may show signs of reverted growth or ‘sporting’. This is where random shoots of different leaves associated with the plant’s parentage begin to appear. Most commonly this is where plants with variegated leaves sprout pure green growths instead of variegated ones.
To control reversion, remove reverted shoots promptly to discourage them. Reverted shoots are usually much more vigorous than the variegated ones, and thus should be completely pruned out and cut back into wood containing variegated foliage.
Potential Issues
Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason.
This will start with browning leaves, which could indicate plant stress due to lack of water or waterlogging, an establishment failure or, in the worst case scenario, honey fungus. Another cause of leaf browning is a high salt content in the soil. This could be a natural occurrence, especially if you live near the ocean, or it could be from over fertilisation.
To remedy a high salt content, cut back on fertiliser and step up your watering regime for the next few weeks. If you live by the ocean, this will be harder to remedy—but stepping up your watering will help to wash some of the salt away all the same.
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