Berberis Mentorensis Makes a BeHer Hedge 
The Morton Arboretum at Lisle, Illinois, 
near Chicago, testing garden for shrubs and 
especially hedges, writes; 
Berberis Mentorensis (Plant Patent No. 99) is the result of a cross be¬ 
tween Barberry Thunbergi and Barberry Julianae. It has very rugged, strong, 
upright growing branches and quite formidable thorns. Its foliage is heavy 
and thick and of perfect color—a green as dark as the Japanese Yew. 
In Northern Ohio the leaves remain green until after the holidays, are 
dropped during the late winter, and new foliage appears early in April. 
Plants growing south of here retain their foliage much longer. In southern 
parts of the country, Berberis Mentorensis is evergreen. 
Its most valuable attribute is its ability to withstand heat and drought. 
Few other shrubs or hedge plants are able to go without water and withstand 
intense heat as Barberry Mentorensis and look as well. During the hottest 
weather there is never any sign of wilting or burning, much to the amaze¬ 
ment of everyone. 
Upright growth; easy upkeep (requires really no pruning), and 
its tenacious foliage, more than compensate for the lack of berries. 
We heartily recommend Berberis Mentorensis to you and claim it 
to be the best moderately priced and perfectly hardy hedge plant 
to date. 
Mentorensis does not rust or discolor in hot, dry weather. 
First —it is evergreen practically the year around. Think what that 
means. 
Second —its sturdy, erect growth carries a thick dark green foliage 
right down to the ground. Is never bare-legged. 
Third —when used for a hedge, its thorny, strong growth forms a 
formidable barrier to man or beast. 
Fourth —needs no pruning. It is of erect growth which becomes 
dense when the plant is three or four years old. No upkeep! , 
No pruning! I 
Fifth —combined in a foundation planting with evergreens, it pro- 1 
vides a beautiful and artistic contrast at very small expense and Jj 
without elaborate preparation of soil. 
Sixth —is not "choosy" about where it grows. No matter if you J 
can't make other broad-leaf evergreens, such as Azaleas and 1 
Rhododendrons, thrive in your soil, this new Barberry will. It is §' 
equally at home whether it is acid or alkaline soil. 4 
[ 146 ] 
Two-year-old Common Berberis Thunbergi 
Very undesirable because of its poor habit of growth 
The Mentor Barberry (Berberis Mentor¬ 
ensis) has been much discussed of late, and 
after several years’ trial, we are thoroughly 
convinced of its hedge possibilities. A hy¬ 
brid of B. Julianae and B. Thunbergi par¬ 
entage, it is fortunate in possessing the 
former s erect habit and semi-evergreen, 
leathery dark green foliage combined with 
the latter’s hardiness and vigor. 
Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Ill. 
