When we think about berries at this time of year we’re most likely to picture holly and whilst it’s true there seems to be quite a lot of it about this year, and it is great for feeding the birds, there are so many others which we often forget about.

One of my favourite is the spindle tree: so called because its straight stems were traditionally used to make spindles, it has amazing orange seeds in a pink capsule.

Apparently the seeds were dried and powdered and used to treat head lice, and an early flowering of spindle was believed to foretell an increased likelihood of an outbreak of plague! You notice it simply as a splash of colour amongst the grey-browns (or snow) of winter.

The blackbirds in my garden love the cotoneaster berries at the moment: this sprawling shrub grows easily on our poor limestone soils, and the seeds are spread far and wide – largely by birds. The berries last for ages – they’ve been around since about September at least and as well as a great splash of colour in the garden they provide a good source of winter food. Birds aren’t daft and will actually eat short-lived fruit such as blackberries in preference to rowan and hawthorn which will last much longer; though I guess it’s most likely because blackberries are far more appetising – rather than any conscious planning. That’s one of the amazing things about nature.

Hawthorn and blackthorn are probably the most important food source for our winter thrush species; fieldfares and redwings, although they’ll enthusiastically take sea buckthorn too which thrives on sand dunes – occasionally to the detriment of other species. I was once told by a historian that blackthorn hedges are usually very ancient, but that shouldn’t stop us from planting new ones; as well as being important in feeding birds through the winter, they’ve very attractive white blossom on the spring (and of course you can also use the fruits to make sloe gin!). Their fierce thorns provide excellent sheltered nesting site.

Honeysuckle brings us that amazing delicate summer scent but we probably think of it less in terms of its berries. They’re poisonous to humans but bullfinches, thrushes, and some warblers will eat them – as well as, apparently, waxwings which would be cool to attract to your garden. (And some believe that growing honeysuckle near your home will attract love, luck and wealth and protect your garden from negative influences; its scent is said to clear the mind, stimulate psychic powers and encourage psychic dreams). It’s a climber so needs a hedge, or trellis, to support it, but makes a beautiful hedge and lots of safe nesting.

Blackbirds love yew berries too: the only part of the tree not poisonous is the red flesh of the berries – and because birds pass the seeds straight through they can safely eat them (and spread the seeds). We associate yews with churchyards, but if you’ve a big enough garden to accommodate one (and no inquisitive children to eat the berries) then they could be an attractive addition to your garden.

Why not consider a wildlife-friendly berry-bearing shrub for Christmas?