During Autumn and Winter, shrubs and trees that bear berries add an extra dimension to gardens. Berries in red, white, purple and orange glisten in the sun and add a welcome splash of colour in the garden. Here are our top 6 shrubs with berries:
Callicarpa (Beauty berry) - Dazzling, metallic berries, most often seen in purple or white, are held on upright stems. A perfect choice for mixed borders, cutting gardens and naturalised settings, Callicarpa is low maintenance and easy to grow.
Gaultheria - Go-anywhere plants, which are invaluable for providing a splash of sophistication and colour even in the coldest months of the year. Like its close relatives, the heathers, gaultheria is a tough evergreen, low-growing and versatile, as happy in a container as edging a winter border. Available in varieties with red, pink or white berries.
Pyracantha (Firethorn) - A stunning evergreen shrub with small flowers in summer and masses of berries in autumn. A valuable pollinator plant for bees. Birds also love Pyracantha shrubs as berries provide vital food in winter. Ideal grown as a wall shrub in a mixed border if provided with support.
Cotoneaster - These versatile shrubs are available in many forms, from tall and tree-like, to low growing, ground-cover types, meaning there is something suitable for every garden. Ideal for attracting wildlife as the flowers are loved by pollinators and the berries by birds.
Viburnum davidii - A small evergreen shrub, with strong foliage of dark green with deep veining patterns. Small white flowers open in spring, followed by striking ornamental blue berries lasting for much of the remaining year.
Skimmia - Evergreen shrubs that are extremely valuable for their multi-season displays – especially in Autumn and Winter. Their glossy evergreen leaves provide a lovely foil to their fragrant white or yellowish flowers in Spring, but it is the red or white berries of female or self-fertile plants during the colder months that really make this shrub stand out.
What to consider when choosing your shrub with berries
Light - some shrubs need full sun, others grow better in the shade. It is important to grow your shrub in the right light to ensure you get the best berries.
Soil - make a note of how free draining your soil is. It is also helpful to know whether it is acidic or not, as some shrubs prefer this. You can use a soil testing kit to find this out if you're not sure.
Space - shrubs come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure to check how much space you have before planting your new addition.
When to plant your shrub with berries
Autumn is the ideal time to plant shrubs in the garden. The soil is still holding some warmth from the Summer, which will help your new plant's roots establish before the colder months. Autumn is known as 'nature's time to plant' and, if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense as the warm, damp earth is ideal for falling fruits, nuts and seeds to establish in.
Planting tips for your shrub with berries
- Dig a hole approximately twice the depth and width of the pot that your shrub is in
- Put some compost in the bottom of the hole and sprinkle over some Rootgrow to help the roots establish
- Remove your shrub from the pot and place it in the hole; ensure the shrub is level with the ground and none of the stem is buried
- Backfill the hole and use your heel to firm the soil around the shrub (don't get too close to the stems)
- Finally, water the shrub well, allowing water to pool in the top before draining away.
We have a wide range of shrubs with berries, call in and browse the range and don't forget, our friendly team are always on hand to help!