BERBERIS

This is a pyracantha (I didn't have a pic of berberis) I'll swap it over when I do!! (thanks for noticing!!)

The most often seen berberis is the hedging type berberis thunbergii, but even this has variety- the green leafed and the purple leafed (Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea) types. These make great hedges and are good defence as they are spiny and not good to walk through! They clip well and grow up to 2m high if left alone, but make a good hedge about 1m high. The green variety in particular has lovely autumn colour, the leaves turning a brilliant orange red. There is even a rockery version of the purple leafed variety that grows to only 60cm high, and grows into a lovely ball shape that can be trimmed well. Evergreen types are around too and one of my favourites is the Orange King. This plant is a magnificent specimen shrub with fabulous deep orange flowers in late spring. The evergreen leaves are narrow and rigid, a dark green that compliment the flowers brilliantly. It needs space to grow as it will make about 2m in height and about 1.5m width when mature