This shrub is an early-flowering species originally discovered in South America in 1835 by Charles Darwin, Berberis darwinii is a popular flowering evergreen plant, often used as hedging.
The dense thicket of stems growing from ground level makes a substantial border shrub as well as an effective hedge, reinforced by its thorniness, which makes it useful for security. In addition, orange flowers are carried in spring, and small purple-black berries in autumn. It is equally impressive grown in full sun or partial shade, against a wall or in an exposed position.