Berberis vulgaris – Barberry

Barberry, Pipperidge. The native British barberry, a deciduous shrub to 3m (10 ft) high bearing lots of clusters of bright red, egg-shaped edible fruits (very acid, lemony, used as a lemon substitute, to make a drink or for preserves). The flowers, leaves and shoot tips have also been eaten. Likes a sunny or part-shady site; very good in hedges. Source of nectar and pollen for honey and bumble bees in May. Several parts of the plant have been used for dyeing and medicinally. Hardy to -35°C. Stratification: CS8. Number of seeds: 40.