Connecticut’s nurseries and garden centers announce phase-out of barberry plants

Over the next three years, Connecticut nurseries and garden centers will stop production and sell off existing inventories of 25 barberry cultivars worth an estimated combined $7.5 million wholesale and retail.

Research at the University of Connecticut over the past seven years showed these plants to product high levels of seed. Another 18 varieties of less vigorous barberry will continue to be grown and sold.

The Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association says the green industry prefers self-regulation over plant-banning laws. CNLA’s executive director told that council that if out-of-state growers did not honor the voluntary ban, CNLA would approve the ban being put into law three years from now.