BERBERIS. Barberry. Widespread, especially in Asia. Someday soon we will have to yield to the latest botanical pronouncements and include the plants fondly known as mahonias under this heading. For now, however, let us continue the traditional division of the groups. The following are spiny shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous. All have beautiful foliage, small, waxy flowers and interesting, sometimes colorful and tasty berries. They are useful as specimen shrubs, foundation plants, hedges and barriers (some are wickedly spiny). They thrive in full sun or light shade and most soils, with moderate to occasional watering when established. Their hardiness varies.

wilsoniae. This is my new favorite of the lot, recently received from the good folks at Forestfarm. It is an erect, fountain-shaped shrub, growing a little over 3' high and about twice that in breadth. The stems are studded with ferocious-looking 3/4" spines, which change in color from tan to grey; yet the plant is considerably less painful to handle than B. thunbergii. The narrow, grey-green leaves are just over 1" long. Decorating the plant in late spring and early summer are pendant clusters of pale yellow blossoms, soon giving way to beautiful coral berries. These persist well into fall. 0^oF or less.