Berrying shrubs to brighten borders
With berries in reds, oranges, purples, blues and even hot pink, plant a shrub if you want brighter borders throughout the colder months, says Tamsin Hope Thomson
GIVING the garden a lift through autumn and winter is easier than you might think. The secret is to look for shrubs with glossy berries to add a burst of colour. From bright scarlet through orange and black to blue and purple, these vibrant fruits will perk up planting displays in both borders and pots.
Shrubs may not boast the glamour of perennials and bulbs, but choose one that not only has spring or summer flowers but winter berries, too, and – hey presto! – you’ve got year-round interest (as well as the all-important structure that these plants deliver). Choose something hardy and unfussy about growing conditions and you’ll have something that is easy to grow and adds huge value to the garden.
When it comes to berrying shrubs, the choice is both varied and tempting. Skimmias are understandably popular – whether it’s ‘Kew White’ with its white berries, or the red clusters of ‘Nymans’. Hollies, pyracanthas and cotoneaster all offer plenty of options, coming in varying sizes, berry colours and foliage types. But be aware that many of these plants need to have a male variety nearby to produce berries (see box overleaf); always check before you buy.
For small spaces, there are compact shrubs that will work well in pots – try the checkerberry, which is certain to cheer up an entrance. Or if it’s ground space you lack, look for a climbing shrub that can be trained up a wall. The berries will be more visible and it’s an easy way to transform a dull fence. Pyracantha is a good choice for this (see page 28 for six top AGM varieties).
You can say goodbye to boring boundaries by planting a berrying hedge such as hawthorn, or lighten up dark corners with a variegated shrub.
And if you want to give wildlife a helping hand in the colder months, planting shrubs with berries is a nobrainer. As food becomes scarce in winter, berries are a vital source of nutrients for birds. Red and black ones are the best, according to the RSPB, as they really stand out against green foliage, making them easier for our feathered friends to find.
Luckily, these plants have plenty of berries to go around and, unless ravished by birds in early winter, most will hang on to their fruit long after the leaves have dropped. At a time of year when colour in the garden can be lacking, even one shrub will have a big impact.