How to Grow Golden Rocket Barberry - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Golden rocket barberry is a shrub that grows to be about 3-4 feet tall. It has small, dark green leaves and produces small, bright yellow flowers in the spring. The flowers are followed by small, red berries that ripen in the fall. The berries are edible and can be used in pies or jams.

How to Grow Golden Rocket Barberry - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • Yellow barberry
  • Golden barberry
  • Yellow-flowered barberry
  • Saffron barberry
  • Barberry

Good to Know

  • Golden Rocket Barberry is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall.
  • It has dark green leaves with serrated margins and golden-yellow flowers that bloom in late spring.
  • The flowers are followed by bright red berries that ripen in early fall.
  • Golden Rocket Barberry is native to Europe and Asia.
  • It was introduced into North America in the mid-19th century for ornamental purposes.
  • Golden Rocket Barberry is often used as a hedge or foundation plant.
  • It is adaptable to a range of soil conditions but prefers well-drained, sandy soil.
  • Golden Rocket Barberry is tolerant of drought and salt spray.
  • It is susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, including powdery mildew, leaf spot, and aphids.
  • Golden Rocket Barberry is a food source for birds and small mammals.

Related plant:
Golden Duranta

Growing Steps

  1. For golden rocket barberry, first step is to find the right plant. You can find these plants at your local nursery or online.
  2. Once you have found the right plant, the next step is to prepare the soil. Golden rocket barberry grows best in well-drained, sandy soils.
  3. After the soil is prepared, the next step is to plant the golden rocket barberry.
  4. Water the plant regularly.
  5. Fertilize the plant every few weeks.
  6. Prune the plant as needed.
  7. Watch for pests and diseases.
  8. Harvest the plant when it is ready.
  9. Store the plant properly.
  10. Enjoy your golden rocket barberry!

Related plant:
Kerria Japonica Golden Guinea

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, the Golden Rocket Barberry prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil conditions including sands, loams, and clay soils. It is not fussy about pH but does prefer a sunny location.

About light

Just like other barberry varieties, the Golden Rocket barberry requires full sun to partial sun for optimal growth. It is a very versatile plant that can adapt to different soil types as long as the soil is well-drained. This plant is perfect for use as a hedge or accent plant in the landscape.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is necessary for the growth of the golden rocket barberry is a warm climate. This plant is not tolerant of cold weather and will not survive if the temperature falls below freezing. The golden rocket barberry is a perennial plant that will bloom in the spring and summer months. The flowers of this plant are yellow and they have a strong fragrance. The golden rocket barberry is a native plant to the Mediterranean region and it is also found in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops below 40%, the leaves will start to curl and the plant will become stressed. If the humidity gets too high, the leaves will start to drop off.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this family of plant is not heavy feeders. A good composting of organic matter around the base of the plant is all that is really needed to get them off to a good start. They are also quite tolerant of drought conditions once they are established. Simply stated, Golden Rocket Barberry are not difficult plants to grow; they just need some well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Their taproots make them somewhat drought tolerant as well.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of caring for your golden rocket barberry. Pruning helps to promote new growth and keeps the plant looking tidy. To prune your golden rocket barberry, start by removing any dead or damaged leaves and stems. Next, trim back any long or straggly stems. Finally, cut back any stems that are growing inwards towards the center of the plant.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of golden rocket barberry is done through softwood cuttings taken from new growth in the spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches in length and taken from the tips of the stems. Cuttings should be placed in a moistened rooting medium and placed under mist. Rooting will take place in 4-6 weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into individual pots filled with a well-drained potting mix.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate information is based on research conducted in the 1970s. At that time, the average growth rate was between 2 and 4 feet per year. Today, the average growth rate is closer to 6 feet per year. This is due to the fact that the plant has been bred to be more vigorous and to produce more flowers.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and anthracnose. These can all be controlled with fungicide treatments. If you see any of these problems on your plant, be sure to treat it right away.

List to Know

  • Make sure to plant your golden rocket barberry in an area with full sun exposure.
  • Golden rocket barberry thrives in well-drained soils. If your soil is too heavy, consider planting in a raised bed.
  • Amend your soil with organic matter such as compost or manure prior to planting.
  • Space your plants 6-8 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation.
  • Once established, water your plants deeply but infrequently to avoid encouraging shallow root growth.
  • Fertilize your plants once a year with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-
  • Prune your plants in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage new growth.
  • Be on the lookout for pests and diseases such as aphids, scale, or powdery mildew.
  • Harvest your golden rocket barberry fruits in late summer or early fall.
  • Enjoy your homegrown

Related Plants

  • Berberis 'Golden Rocket' (Golden Rocket barberry)
  • Berberis 'GOLDEN DREAMS' (GOLDEN DREAMS barberry)
  • Berberis 'Golden Enchantment' (Golden Enchantment barberry)
  • Berberis 'Golden Dream' (Golden Dream barberry)
  • Berberis 'Golden Daybreak' (Golden Daybreak barberry)
  • Berberis 'Golden Harvest' (Golden Harvest barberry)
  • Berberis 'Golden Treasure' (Golden Treasure barberry)
  • Berberis 'GOLDEN COMET' (GOLDEN COMET barberry)
  • Berberis thunbergii 'Gold Rocket' (Gold Rocket barberry)
  • Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Dream' (Golden Dream barberry)

Source:
Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' (Golden Barberry, Golden Japanese Barberry ...
Golden Rocket (train) - Wikipedia - wiki.alquds.edu
Japanese barberry - University of Minnesota

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category