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Berberis Orange King

June 24, 2008

Question:

I bought a nice orange king shrub in early march and it was already in flower and has done really well until the recent hot weather and has now started to shed its flowers I am unsure has I have not got the planting card if this is normal I seem to recall it flowers again in august if that’s the case how should I treat it should I water regular or feed it or prune it any advice on this plant would be most welcome thank you

Answer:

Is your Orange King a Berberis? If so then it flowers April to May so they are coming to the end now. Berberis requires minimal pruning. Where pruning is required to keep its size down, cut back in autumn or winter, after the appearance of the autumn fruits. The foliage will suffer if the plant gets too dry so watch out for that during this dry spell. An occasional feed and an autumn mulching will always help.

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