Expert's choice Euonymus

These variable, tough and decorative shrubs have multiple uses in the garden

- says, Graham Rice

If you're driving along a quiet country lane in summer and you notice a stretch of hedgerow covered in cobwebs, well, you've probably just spotted one of our most intriguing native shrubs.

This is the spindle bush (Euonymus europaeus) and the cobwebs are woven by spindle ermine moth caterpillars as protection from foraging birds eager to feed their broods.