Unique berry producing plants are always welcome in my garden. What do I mean by unique? I’m glad you asked! If you didn’t ask then bear with me anyway. To me a unique berry plant is one that may not be in everyone’s landscape. Plants that look spectacular because of the berries and the berries aren’t just an added bonus. To me most hollies don’t fit this bill. When I think of a holy I think of glossy evergreen leaves then the berries. If you consider the deciduous hollies my opinion changes. The stark nakedness of their winter forms laden with berries is special and unique. I anticipate adding these to my landscape eventually once I establish the right spot for them but for now I have some other unique and, in my opinion, “berry good” plants!
The berries are green right now on my American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) but this fall they will change to a spectacular purple color. As the name suggests it is an American native and is great for feeding birds and wildlife.
The berries form along the stem in clusters. They grow well from seed and reportedly are easy to propagate. I’ll let you know on that one soon since I have some cuttings in progress. If I can beat the birds to the ripe berries I’ll start some from the seeds.
This picture was taken on a trip to the Nashville Zoo last year. It’s funny that I took almost as many plant pictures as animal pictures but I think you can see why this one attracted my eye.
Another favorite of mine is viburnum. This one is an arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) named so because the American indians used the wood for making arrows. ‘Morton’ is the cultivar. The blue berries are very attractive to birds. There are many kinds of viburnums out there to choose from and if you are interested in learning more about them I highly recommend
Michael Dirr’s book titled Viburnums. Catchy title!
Above you can see the green berries beginning the transition to their ripened blue coloring.
When these berries complete their process they won’t last long, the birds will find them fast! As will a certain gardener who loves to make new plants.
Also as TC mentions below in the comments Viburnums can have a serious issue with the Viburnum Leaf Beetle. For some good information on them check out Cornell University. They also have a list of viburnums based on their susceptibility to the Viburnum Leaf Beetle that would be quite handy in selecting a variety that is resistant.
One other plant in my landscape that will be bountiful with berries this season is the pyracantha. It’s commonly called ‘Firethorn’ due to the fiery color of its berries and the sharp prickly spikes you will find all along it’s branches. We’re still in the green stages but there are many berries that will turn a bright orange this fall. New plants can be made from the seeds or from cuttings. Birds like this one as well. My wife’s parents have a pyracantha in their front yard and couldn’t figure out why there were no berries. One day they watched as a flock of ten or more chickadees darted among the branches cleaning it out before the berries were even ripe. Even if you don’t get to enjoy the beauty of the orange-red berries yourself, someone else might!
While there are many unique berry producing plants that would be great to talk about these are the three I like best in my garden. What’s your favorite berry producing plant?
The berries form along the stem in clusters. They grow well from seed and reportedly are easy to propagate. I’ll let you know on that one soon since I have some cuttings in progress. If I can beat the birds to the ripe berries I’ll start some from the seeds.
Dave, I think you might already be aware of the arrowwood's susceptibility to viburnum leaf beetle. This pest can be devastating to viburnums. And in all actuality no variety is completely immune.
Those beautyberries are awesome! Love the arrowood too for it's blue berries. I do not have one of those here nor the pyracantha. So pretty!
Very nice, Dave! I am so anxious to plant more berry bearing plants and shrubs in my garden too!
Cool, Dave! And how great to mention the Nashville Zoo! I've had such good times there with my father, brother, sister-in-law, and niece and nephew. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even notice the plants! But I did love the settings and the bald eagles!!!
What a lovely and informative post! I love your blog…haven't been able to blog much this summer, and it is good to be back searching out some of my favorite blogs! I too am a fan of berry-producing plants. This was a great post!
Marie
Thanks for showing these unique berry plants, Dave. Good luck on the beautyberry too. I just added one this year, for the berries of course. Love all the viburnums too. My favorite? The winterberries. Berry Heavy already has red berries and the green leaves are still on the shrubs! The winter gold and sparkleberry are loaded but still green. Mine are under the Yoshino which is now huge. Might be a good place for you to plant some as well? 🙂
Frances
I like the beauty berry. Must see if it will grow here. I need some winter berries for our feathered friends.
Thanks Dave, I am going to check out the beetle site. I love my viburnums and would hate to have them under attack! Speaking of viburnums~~ I noticed the Viburnum rhytidophyllum berries are at their pink stage…a very fine color. You can't have too many viburnums; they are wonderful shrubs.
I like Beautyberry a lot, too…(I was so tempted to say berry much!) Callicarpa americana is all over the woodlands near us, but none grows naturally here…I have sown it in the garden…but may have pulled it up thinking it was bush honeysuckle! gail
TC,
I've been fortunate so far withe the viburnum leaf beetles but I remember your experience with them. I'll keep an eye out.
Tina,
I'm working on a couple viburnum cuttings I'll see if I can get one going for you.
Heather,
They are great for attracting birds which eat the bugs.
OFB,
Our big thing was the giraffes. My daughter loved them!
Marie,
Thanks for coming by, I'm glad you enjoyed the post!
Frances,
Those winterberries are awesome plants. I definitely need to get on the ball and get a few.
Lola,
It is a beautiful plant! If you can grow it in Florida give it a try.
Gail,
I have a couple cuttings of beautyberry going and I'll reserve one for you if it roots! Just don't pull it up accidentally!