Berberis: This hardy shrub offers colour and structure, and is a good choice where security is an issue

摘要

Being easy to grow and maintain, Berberis is associated with the cheapest, less creative end of landscaping. Yet growers feel it is undervalued as an ornamental shrub, especially the deciduous types with their handsome autumn colour. There are around450 species of deciduous and evergreen Berberis, and all shrubs range in size from 3m down to under 30cm. They usually grow wider than tall, forming a mass of tangled, thorny stems densely covered in leaves. They are cultivated for their foliage colours, which range from green and purple to yellow. They also boast bright yellow or dark orange spring flowers, red or black autumn berries and autumn leaf colour.