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
The underside of its rounded greyish leaves are covered with white silky hairs
Flat heads of scented white flowers appear in May and June
Extras
Good nectar source for bees and hoverflies
Blackbirds and other birds eat the berries (and disperse the seeds in their poo) but these are mildly poisonous to people
- Main photo
Photo ©