Berberis darwinii – Darwin’s Barberry

Darwin’s barberry. An evergreen shrub to 3m (10 ft) high, thriving in the British climate and producing an abundance of edible fruits in early summer. Likes a part shady site, and tolerates quite deep shade; good in hedges. Very good as an understorey crop. The bark and roots yield a yellow dye; the plant is a source of nectar and pollen for honey and bumble bees in April and May. Hardy to -15°C. Stratification: CS17. Number of seeds: 25.