Several species of Berberis are favored as garden shrubs , grown for such features as ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, or red or blue-black berries. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been selected for garden use. Low-growing Berberis plants are also commonly planted as pedestrian barriers. Several species of Berberis are favored as garden shrubs , grown for such features as ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, or red or blue-black berries. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been selected for garden use. Low-growing Berberis plants are also commonly planted as pedestrian barriers. Several species of Berberis are favored as garden shrubs, grown for such features as ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, or red or blue-black berries. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been selected for garden use. Low-growing Berberis plants are also commonly planted as pedestrian barriers. Feb 14, 2025 · Explore a complete guide to barberry shrubs, including key identification tips and how to distinguish between various types in gardens and landscapes. As ornamentalshrubs the barberries have many good qualities and several of them are in the very first rank of garden plants. They prefer a warm, loamy soil, but are by no means fastidious. Some species are useful early flowing nectar plants for honeybees and bumblebees. In ornamental gardens, they are useful foliage shrubs, especially those with colorful foliage. The flowers of most species are showy, as are the fruits.