If you see a bright spot of color in an otherwise drab scene in the winter, there is a good chance it is some kind of berry. Ranging in shades from bright red through orange, yellow, blue, black and purple, berries not only treat the eye, but also sustain many birds and other wildlife. In this, the third of six articles, we will look at the many types of plants that are adorned with showy fruit, along with ways to use them to get the most impact in the winter landscape.
Designing a garden is a balancing act of complementary color, texture, size and shape, as well as bloom time and fall foliage color. By following this concept, the colors of the berries will usually just naturally harmonize. Here are some excellent berry-bearers:
Trees
European Mountain Ash Sorbus aucuparia
This is a small (25-30’ high x 15-20’ wide), low branching tree that has something to offer in every season: white flowers, multihued fall foliage, and in winter, clusters of reddish-orange berries that catch the snow. As spring approaches, flocks of robins feast upon the fruit, which can be quite a spectacle in itself. It likes full to partial sun, well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 4-7.
Washington Hawthorn - Crateagus phaenopyrum
Another all-season star, the Washington Hawthorn shines with white flowers in late spring, orange to red fall color and bright red, persistent fruit in winter. And thorns. Big ones. This makes pruning a challenge, but also makes it a good screen for deterring trespassers. At 25-35’ tall and wide it is a manageable size for most yards and is hardy in zones 5-9. Plant in full sun.
Crabapple Malus
There are dozens of sizes, shapes and colors of crabapples available, too many to list here. That said, they are one of the best color providers in the garden. With flowers in every shade of pink, scarlet, purple and white, bright green to burgundy summer foliage, yellow, orange and red fall leaves and fruit that can be yellow, golden, every shade of red, two toned, and even green, this tree has serious wow factor. Two prime choices are: Prairifire with deep pink flowers and shiny red fruit. Golden Raindrops has cut leaves for a lacy effect, white flowers and golden yellow fruit. Hardy in zone 4-8, likes full sun.
Shrubs
WinterberryIlex verticillata
This is the quintessential berry plant, imitated in craft stores and paintings of frosty scenes. It is a deciduous holly and being a holly, it is dioecious. This means that both a male and female plant is necessary for berry production and that only female plants have berries. One male plant will pollinate several females so if you want a hedge of Winterberry, plant females such as ‘Winter Sprite’ and just make sure you have one male like ‘Jim Dandy’ lurking nearby in the background.
Varieties range in size from 4-10’ tall and wide. Hollies tolerate pruning, so controlling size is not difficult, but choose a variety that is close to the desired range so a natural shape is easier to maintain.
A natural choice for hedges, Winterberry also makes an excellent background or specimen plant. It prefers constantly moist soil, full to partial sun and is hardy in zones 4-8.
Chokeberry- Aronia sp.
Chokeberry is named for its tart, bitter, yet edible red or black fruit, the very one now enjoying celebrity status as an antioxidant superstar. As an ornamental, it is equally stellar, with sparkling white fragrant flowers in spring, shiny green leaves in summer, blazing fall color and the famed berries from late summer through winter.
A. melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic’ has black berries, gets 4-5’ tall by 5-6’ wide and is hardy in zones 3-8. A. arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’ is an improved red berried variety which gets 5-7’ tall by 3-4’ wide and is hardy in zones 4-9. Both do best in full sun and consistently moist soil.
American Cranberry - Viburnum trilobum ‘Wentworth’
There are scads of viburnum species out there and they are terrific plants, but for winter berries, Wentworth is one of the best. This improved cultivar of the V. trilobum species has larger berries that last longer into winter. After blooming with white lacecap flowers in spring, the berries start out yellow in summer, gradually turning glossy bright red, glowing against the maple-shaped green foliage which turns to deep pink then brick red in the fall. Its dense habit makes it a good choice for screens and hedges. Growing to 8-10’ tall and nearly as wide, be sure to give it the space it needs to shine. Wentworth likes full sun, and is hardy in zones 4-7.
Beautyberry - Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’
Aptly named, this plant is unassuming until late summer and fall when the berries ripen to a shocking neon purple. The soft yellow fall foliage complements the bright clusters until they drop, leaving the twigs swathed in flamboyant glory. Technically a zone 6-8 plant, zone fivers can treat Beautyberry as a perennial, mulching in fall and cutting it back to a few inches in late winter. It blooms and therefore berries on new wood, so this method is a good way to ensure survival, and keep the plant tidy and fresh. For folks in zones 6-8, just thin 25% of the stems to the ground every year.
Depending on pruning practices, expect a size of 4-6’ tall and wide. Berries are more numerous on plants grown in the sun, and where there is more than one plant. Plant Beautyberry where it can show off in fall and winter and blend in the rest of the time as a graceful green shrub.
Berried plants bring so much to the garden in all seasons along with providing much needed food for birds and wildlife. See where you can fit some into your landscape for four season beauty.
Thank you for following my series on the winter landscape. Next week: Evergreens
