Complete Gardening
Adding red berry shrubs to your garden can provide a splash of color and a touch of vibrancy, especially during the dreary months of late autumn and winter.
These shrubs not only offer visual appeal but also attract wildlife, providing food and shelter for birds and other creatures.
Here, we explore 24 stunning red berry shrubs that can transform your garden into a lively and inviting sanctuary.
1. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Winterberry is a deciduous holly native to North America.
Known for its vibrant red berries that cling to bare branches in winter, it’s perfect for adding color to a winter garden.
It’s a hardy plant that thrives in wetland areas.
2. Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Red Chokeberry is a multi-season shrub known for its brilliant red berries and lovely white spring flowers.
It’s a tough plant that can tolerate poor soil, making it ideal for challenging garden spots.
3. American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum)
This native Viburnum offers decorative red berries that last into winter.
Its lush foliage and berries make it a standout in any garden. It’s also a great choice for attracting birds.
4. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Cotoneaster is a versatile shrub that provides small red berries in fall.
It’s often used as ground cover or for slope stabilization due to its spreading habit.
The berries are a favorite among birds.
5. Firethorn (Pyracantha)
Firethorn is an evergreen shrub known for its thorny branches and bright red berries that last into winter.
It’s often used as a hedge or barrier plant and provides excellent cover for birds.
6. Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
Japanese Skimmia is an evergreen shrub that bears clusters of bright red berries in fall and winter.
It’s perfect for shaded areas and adds year-round interest with its fragrant flowers and lush foliage.
7. Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Bittersweet is a vigorous climbing vine known for its colorful fall display of red berries encased in yellow capsules.
It’s often used to cover fences or trellises, providing a striking autumnal display.
8. Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Red Osier Dogwood is valued for its striking red stems in winter and clusters of white berries.
It’s ideal for wet areas and adds a splash of color to winter landscapes.
9. Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Barberry is a hardy, deciduous shrub with thorny branches and bright red berries.
It’s often used as a hedge or barrier plant. The berries add color in fall and provide food for birds.
10. Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Known as heavenly bamboo, Nandina is an evergreen shrub with bright red berries that last throughout winter.
It adds texture and color to the garden with its delicate foliage and vibrant berries.
11. Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Holly is a traditional winter shrub famous for its glossy green leaves and bright red berries.
It’s often associated with festive decor and provides excellent winter interest.
12. Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum)
Goji Berry, also known as wolfberry, is prized for its nutritious red berries.
It’s a hardy shrub that can be grown in various climates, offering both ornamental and edible benefits.
13. Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
The Spindle tree is known for its stunning autumn display of red berries in pink capsules.
It’s a small tree or large shrub that adds vibrant color to any landscape.
14. Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum)
Redcurrant is a deciduous shrub producing clusters of edible red berries.
It’s perfect for adding a touch of color to the garden and is widely used in cooking and baking.
15. Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
This variety of Firethorn is known for its abundant red berries and thorny branches, making it an excellent choice for a security hedge while offering ornamental value.
16. Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Cranberry Cotoneaster is a low-growing shrub perfect for ground cover.
It bears red berries in fall, adding color and attracting wildlife to the garden.
17. Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum)
Tutsan is a semi-evergreen shrub with red berries and bright yellow flowers.
It’s a great choice for adding color and texture to mixed borders and garden beds.
19. Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
Red Elderberry is a deciduous shrub producing clusters of red berries.
It’s a hardy plant often used in naturalized areas and attracts various bird species.
20. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Burning Bush is known for its vibrant red fall foliage and small red berries.
It’s a popular ornamental shrub that adds dramatic color to autumn gardens.
21. Christmas Berry (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Also known as Toyon, Christmas Berry is an evergreen shrub with clusters of red berries that are perfect for holiday decor.
It’s a drought-tolerant plant native to California.
22. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Autumn Olive is a fast-growing shrub that bears red berries in the fall.
It’s often used for erosion control and provides food for wildlife.
23. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is a deciduous tree or shrub known for its thorny branches and clusters of red berries.
It’s often used in hedges and provides cover and food for birds.
24. Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)
Wayfaring Tree is a large shrub that produces red berries turning black in fall.
It’s valued for its multi-season interest with spring flowers, summer berries, and fall foliage.