I’m sure common pricklyash (Zanthoxylum americanum) is not on most gardeners’ planting lists, but this underutilized multistemmed shrub native to the eastern U.S. has several interesting and desirable qualities: Flowers in early spring attract several types of bees; bright red fruit clusters lend interest in late summer and autumn; dense growth habit provides nesting sites for songbirds; and foliage color in autumn is orange or gold. This shrub forms thickets through root suckering, so it’s not suitable for small gardens.
Common Pricklyash Provides Reliable Orange or Gold Color in Autumn (7 photos)