Where will I see it? Most woodlands, hedgerows, scrubby areas and on waste ground. They can be extremely invasive (and rock hard), so need regular pruning to keep them in check. Brambles thrive in most soils and seem happy to grow in the sun or in partial or full shade. When the tip of a stem droops to the ground, it takes root, sending up a new plant. It has arching stems armed with hooked thorns that help it to scramble over anything. Its flowers provide nectar and pollen for many insects, it bears fruit in late summer and autumn, and offers good cover all year round. This scrambling shrub, also known as 'blackberry', is a real must in a wildlife garden. When will I see it? It varies depending on species, but it generally flowers between April and May.

Berberis thunbergii and Berberis aggregata can provide berries into autumn and winter.Īnimals that benefit: Birds are attracted to the berries, whilst the thorns provide a barrier for safe nesting sites. Look for Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea 'Nana' if you want to grow an attractive prickly hedge. The purple-leaved Berberis thunbergii loses its leaves in winter. Berberis x stenophylla has smaller leaves and tall arching branches, and makes a good informal hedge, providing good nesting sites for birds. It looks best planted in a group with other shrubs. An evergreen, it prefers full sun and a moist soil, growing slowly to around 3 m. One of the more attractive garden varieties is Berberis darwinii, which has bright orange flowers in mid-spring.

While not always the prettiest of shrubs, berberis (also known as 'barberry') are hardy and tolerate all but dry soils, and provide valuable ground cover for birds, as well as berries.

Under the bramble bushes hand game