I have planted two pygmy barberry recently.(7/5/06) I felt they were doing well but I noticed they are droping their leaves which are yellow and crunchy. I feel they have had plenty of water and see no bug damage. Any ideas of what is going on. They are getting full sun.

Barberrys should take full sun. Are you watering them too much?

maybe they were planted wrong, maybe they don't get enough water. new plantings in full sun should get water every day until they are established.

I planted 3 golden barberries around April. They face a western sun and get lots of afternoon hot sunlight. The id label that came with each plant said " direct sun will not burn this plant". I have a lawn sprinkler system that because of local watering restrictionshas to be used after 6pm. One rotor hits the Japanese maple tree and waters the leaves on the barberry while the evening sun is shinng directly on these plants.No problem! These plants will take it. I use a watering meter(like you use to check moisture in indoor plant pots)and poke it into the ground around the plant to make sure it's not getting too much water.

Here are a couple of pictures.


Hope this info helps!

Thanks so much for the info. I DO think a water meter is in order just to be sure that I am giving them the right amount of water. Thanks again!

Good luck and let us know if this info helped. I know using a meter has helped me from over watering when I thought I was "saving my plant from dehydration" Although I check on all my plants daily to see if there is any change in their health; I would give it about 2 weeks to see a definite turnaround. I would appreciate feedback from other's on this timeline.