Best time to see: May to end Sep

Key facts

A large shrub with red berries turning black; prefers limy soils so commonest in the north-west of Essex

Blackbirds and other birds eat the berries (and disperse the seeds in their poo) but these are mildly poisonous to people

Good nectar source for bees and hoverflies

Extras

Flat heads of scented white flowers appear in May and June

The underside of its rounded greyish leaves are covered with white silky hairs