Shrubs

Barberry

All species of berberis have needle sharp spines usually in threes but in some forms clusters of up to 7. They form good hedges but the lax stems become untidy if not clipped regularly. Most have yellow flowers followed by berries of orange, red, purple or blue-black. There are evergreen and deciduous types and some even have purple foliage....[more]

Broom

Broom can be made to grow anywhere but it thrives best on sandy soils. It may grow up to 2.5 metres tall, but usually falls over or breaks off by then. The leaves are insignificant on the flexible green shoots, but the bright yellow flowers are outstanding. This plant fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil....[more]

Burnet Rose

A British heathland and coastal rose which suckers strongly and creates dense ground cover. The 50-100cm stems have spiny bristles. White flowers are produced in mid summer followed by purplish-black hips....[more]

Common Buckthorn

A spiny 8 metre deciduous native shrub that usually produces a heavy crop of glossy black berries in early winter. These are good for pheasants in particular. It thrives on base-rich soils especially in open woods and hedgerows....[more]

Crab Apple

A hardy tree to 10 metres tall often with spiny shoots, pinkish blossom and yellowish green to russet 2-3cm round apples. It is often confused with M.domestica which is larger, not spiny and has variously coloured fruit. Most hedgerow trees are self sown from discarded apple cores....[more]

Dog Rose

The well armed arching stems of dog rose are a familiar sight in southern Britain where it is native. It can reach 4 metres in height or more if supported by trees. The flowers are various shades of pale pink and the hips are glossy red....[more]

Elder tree

This is an outer woodland edge shrub or small tree providing low shelter by lifting the wind and disturbing the air flow. It is a bushy native species which grows rapidly when young. It is floriferous in June with numerous creamy-white flat cymes. These are followed by juicy purple-black berries in dense heavy clusters. The name ÔellerÕ was given to elder in several counties from Kent to Cheshire....[more]

Field Rose

A weak stemmed rose that spreads widely but seldom exceeds 1.5 metres in height. The flowers are white 3-5cm across followed by red globose hips. It is native to southern Britain....[more]

Laurel

Sometimes called Cherry laurel (which is unfortunate as the berries are poisonous to humans) this familiar evergreen reaches 10 metres in height and spreads widely. It has been extensively planted for pheasant cover and ornament in Britain since 1576. Its origin is Eastern Europe and Asia Minor....[more]

Privet

This British native privet should not be confused with the oriental species used in town gardens. It is only semi-evergreen and produces a straggling open bush up to 5 metres tall. Usually it will have a good crop of black berries that are favoured by birds in early winter. It prefers lime rich lowland situations....[more]

Red Dogwood Tree/Shrub

Commonly used for erosion control. Red twigs showy in winter for ornamental value....[more]

Sea Buckthorn

This is not just a seaside plant, although it thrives near the sea especially on sand dunes. It rapidly spreads and suckers to form a viscously spiny grey leaved barrier around 4 metres tall. It is totally wind resistant. Female plants produce numerous hoary orange berries....[more]

Shrub Honeysuckle

This urban hedging plant has a place in some woodland situations. It is dense and evergreen and may be clipped to any size. Since its introduction from China in 1908 it has become universally popular as a low screen and windbreak. A close relative of the sweet-scented climbing honeysuckle. Evergreen small leaves make good relatively easy maintained hedges....[more]

Spindleberry

A branchy shrub or small tree with tough leathery leaves and exquisite pink and orange fruits. It prefers lime rich soils and an open hedgerow or woodland edge situation. Once established it provides good shelter from the wind....[more]

Sweet Briar

An erect bush up to 2 metres tall with hooked prickles. The 3-4cm scented flowers are pink with a golden centre. This species is native on calcarious soils in southern England....[more]