Talkback: The trouble with berberis - Page 4 - Talkback

13/09/2010 at 14:30

I give in! My once magnificent hedge has been cut down and dug out. I suffered three consecutive years of heartbreak watching my hedge being decimated. Now that it has gone my front garden receives more light and I can plan a new border. When one door closes......

Gardeners' World Web User

28/09/2010 at 11:07

I don't think the bugs flew to Ireland! I was wondering if I could cut my berberis hedge down in Spring as it is too high for me to trim. The hedgetrimmer isn't strong enough to cut down very far. I would need a saw I think but all the leaves would be gone. will it grow back if I do a 'hatchet' job? It was beautiful this year in May and no sign of any caterpillars yet!

Gardeners' World Web User

02/10/2010 at 16:21

Thanks to everyone for comments. My berberis is over 20 yrs old and has been the crowning glory of our garden for all those years untill about 3 years ago. It happens every year now..:-( I too had a major trim last year. Regrew this year but now devestated again. Such a shame. We live on Surrey/Hampshire border. Will try brolly, sheet, cardboard and soapy water next year. Good luck to everyone.

Gardeners' World Web User

10/10/2010 at 16:19

I live in Manchester and have just had to trim my berberis right back and dispose of the caterpillars, does anyone know if the caterpillars are ok for ducks to eat as our two don't seem to be picking them off the lower branches or from the ground?

Gardeners' World Web User

21/06/2011 at 19:44

Richard - recently caught meigenii in Norwich and would like to check on Essex record you mention - can you contact me at tony.irwin"squiggle"btinternet.com Thanks Tony

Gardeners' World Web User

01/07/2011 at 22:16

I'm in Manchester and my purple Berberis just been stripped for the second year running. By the time you see the damage it's too late to stop. Will spraying now help to prevent reinfestation next year? Plant was here when I moved in some 30 yrs ago, so reluctant to dig it up, pink new leaves so pretty, but bare twigs not!!

Gardeners' World Web User

10/07/2011 at 14:32

They are in York too! Working on their removal now.

Gardeners' World Web User

13/09/2011 at 01:54

I found this link by googling "berberis pests" because a couple of mine have been stripped by something. I'm now quite sure it's sawfly caterpillars. I don't use chemical pesticides in this garden, organic for 25 years but I LOVE BT, short for bacillus thurigensis , a bacteria that only kills caterpillars. This must be available in Britain--it works! (couldn't grow crucifers if it didn't!)

Gardeners' World Web User

13/09/2011 at 01:55

forgot to say just for the record I live in Montreal, Quebec and have never seen this before! Lots of pesky insects this year, more than ever before.

Gardeners' World Web User

26/09/2011 at 19:32

saw this problem on our two large bushes today totally stripped it of leaves hope it comes back we're in walsall west mids.

Gardeners' World Web User

28/11/2011 at 18:36

I am having the same problem with my Berberis. It is a mature shrub growing over 15 years and I thought it was dying as the foliage in the middle of the shrub has been totally eaten and surrounding foliage is almost bare. Having had a closer look to my dismay I found approx 30 caterpillars eating the foliage. I have sprayed insecticide on them in the hope that they do not come back and the bush survives. I live in the South West and it's the first time this has happened.

Gerry 2

25/06/2012 at 21:31

My Berberis has grey fungus type blotches on all the branches. Leaves are starting to look sad. Any ideas how to cure please

gardeningfantic

30/08/2012 at 13:23

i have ahd them to this year.. loads of them.. i had to look up what they were.. leaves are stripped to just stalks.. i just removed the ones i could see and spread on the path.. didnt stay there for long i can tell ya.

Lilylouise

30/08/2012 at 15:44

lilylouise wrote (see)

Flippin'g things are back - we haven't been bothered with them for a couple of years

Pam LL x

I posted this a few days ago - I don't like using insecticide but I have and the caterpillars have gone. They had munched their way through half a shrub before I noticed

Pam LL x

gardeningfantic

30/08/2012 at 19:01

ohmy Pam.. not good.. those look like the ones i had on my verbascum this year.... it is a good year for the bad pests i say.

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