European Barberry

Description:

These shrubs were flowering in May, and are now starting to grow their berries. The flowers hang downward from the branches in neat rows, and seem to attract all different kinds of insects, particularly flies. They do have thorns, but they're easily concealed within the leaves. (I learned that the hard way!) They can grow quite tall, up to around four meters.

Notes:

Berries are bright red and are ripe by late summer and autumn. They're edible, but very sour.