By Catbalu
United Kingdom 
i have an evergreen shrub. its purple, thorny with small pale orange flowers in the spring and tiny red berries in the autumn/winter. any ideas what it might be.
29 Apr, 2011
Answers
Could be Berberis thunbergii
29 Apr, 2011
If its evergreen, then possibly Berberis darwinii, or if its purple foliage then its decidous, and possibly breberis, Thunbergii, julien.
29 Apr, 2011
Julien's spot on - if its Berberis (and it does sound like it) with purple leaves, it has to be deciduous, not evergreen. Could be B. thunbergii, B. ottawensis, or one or two other variations of Bk. thunbergii. Photograph to be sure.
30 Apr, 2011
Many thanks for your help. now when i'm asked what it is i will be able to answer with confidence.
30 Apr, 2011
Previous question
Almost certainly a berberis
29 Apr, 2011