Honey bees
Nectar value
High
Pollen value
High
Pollinator plant
European Barberry
Berberis vulgaris
Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value
Who this plant supports
Agroforestry database
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Shrub
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 3.00 m high × 2.00 m wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 3-7
- Moisture
- Well-drained, Moist
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Sun
Uses
- Edible parts
- Fruit, Leaves, Seasoning, Tea
- Functions
- Dye, Hedge, Timber, Pollinator plant
- Edibility
- 3 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 3 out of 5
Fruits: edible raw or cooked. The sour berries are an excellent source of vitamin C. They have a strong sour taste and are often pickled, although some people, including children, enjoy them fresh. A refreshing lemon-flavored drink can also be made from them. The small fruits are about 10 mm long. Young leaves: The young leaves are used as a seasoning or as a sour snack. They can be consumed in similar ways to sorrel (Rumex acetosa). Finally, the dried young leaves and the tips of the shoots can be used to make a refreshing tea.