As summer fades and autumn settles in, berry bushes take centre stage in the garden. Their glowing berries and rich foliage add colour, texture, and a touch of magic to the season. Beyond their beauty, these natural gems provide vital food for birds and shelter for wildlife, making them both decorative and practical.
Why plant berry bushes this autumn?
Autumn is an excellent time to plant berry bushes or even create a hedge with them. They offer many advantages:
- Their foliage and berries can be used in festive winter decorations like wreaths and arrangements.
- They provide natural privacy and protection. .
- Birds love their berries and use the dense branches for shelter.
- Thorny varieties help keep unwanted visitors — whether pets or people — out of your garden.
- Unlike a solid fence, berry hedges let wildlife such as hedgehogs and toads move freely.
- Shrubs help absorb rainwater and provide cooling during hot summer spells.
- Many varieties are evergreen, adding colour all year round.
5 Stunning Berry Bushes to Try
- Spindle Tree (Euonymus)
Known for its fiery autumn leaves and clusters of orange-red berries. After the first frost the berries often remain on the branches, unless the birds get to them first. - Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster)
Available in both evergreen and deciduous types, from ground-hugging to tall shrubs. The striking Cotoneaster horizontalis stands out with its herringbone branches and vibrant autumn colour. - Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
A native shrub that grows up to three metres tall, producing flat clusters of white flowers in May and June, followed by striking red berries in autumn. - Holly (Ilex)
A classic evergreen that thrives in shade and poor soil. Many species bear bright red berries in autumn, which garden birds adore. - Barberry (Berberis)
A thorny, upright shrub that makes an excellent hedge. It shows off brilliant autumn colours, followed by blue, red, or salmon-pink berries and clusters of orange or pale yellow spring flowers.
Create Your Own Autumn Glow
Berry bushes bring colour, wildlife, and structure into the garden when most flowers are fading. Visit our garden centre in Hertforshire to explore a wide range of shrubs and hedging plants, and create your own ‘Indian Summer’ this autumn.
