Berberis

Beberis is also great for wildlife gardens as the spines protect nesting birds and the berries give them a food supply in the autumn.

Berberis thunbergii and berberis vulgaris are renowned for their attractive pink or red autumn colour and colourful red edible berries and the Beberis x Media is noted for its semi-evergreen foliage.

The most popular species used as an informal hedge is Berberis thunbergii and is sometimes confused with Berberis canadensis (American barberry) or Berberis vulgaris (European barberry). Berberis species have spines on the shoots and along the margins of the leaves, making them the perfect barrier hedge which helps to keep deter unwanted animals or use as pedestrian barriers.