Berberis vulgaris / Crespino

Origin: Europe, North Africa, Asia.

Botanical characteristics: It is a deciduous shrub, more or less erect and compact. It has ovoid lanceolate, glossy dark green leaves with serrated margin. At the base of the leaves there are 2-3 spines. Yellow flowers blooms in early spring, gathered in pendulous racemes, followed by oblong berries, which are first green and than translucent red.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It can live on dry slopes and sub-Mediterranean pine forests. It adapts to all soils, even calcareous.

Use: It is excellent for defensive hedges, mixed hedges and brushes. In slopes, too.