5 Berry Covered Plants for Fall and Winter Interest

5 Berry Covered Plants for Fall and Winter Interest

What Would You like to Learn About Today?

The Perfect Way To Add Color To Your Garden Beyond Summer

More often than not, when picking plants for our gardens, we only think of how’ll they appear in spring and summer. We seek out bright blooms and interesting foliage to add excitement and beauty in the warmer months, but what happens once the temperatures start to cool, and the blooms fade, and the foliage falls? When planning your garden, consider adding plants that extend your garden’s life beyond flower season-our favorite way to do this? Berries.

While the juicy and edible berries we pick up each trip from the farmer’s market may be in season during the summer months, these ornamental berries start their show typically by the end of summer to early fall. While humans may not decide to feast on the bright bounty of berries, birds adore them- a bonus of adding berry-bearing plants to your landscape. Berries come in a sea of colors, from classic reds to golden yellows and even purples, too. They’re a simple and often low maintenance way of adding color to a typically quiet time in our gardens while also supporting the local ecosystem; in our book, that’s a win-win.

So What Are Our Favorite Berry-Bearing Plants?

While it was hard to choose, we’ve curated a collection below of five berry covered plants that covers a variety of plants that behold a bounty of berries each year.

Close up of the bright red berries of the Berry Heavy Winterberry Holly
Shop This

1.) Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly

A classic red for a timeless appeal!

Berry Heavy® truly knows how to put on a show like no other. Berry Heavy® is a deciduous shrub because it loses its leaves in winter; this only adds to this plant’s appeal, unlike others, which tend to look barren when this occurs. Once its leaves drop, they reveal branches laden with bright red berries. It’s a spectacular display, especially when paired with a blanket of fresh snow. Winterberry holly is known for being remarkably easy to care for, so there will be little work on your end to enjoy this shrub year after year.

A note about Berry Heavy® Winterberry Holly Pollination:

Winterberry holly plants are either female or male, and both a male and female plant are needed in order for fruit (berries) to form on the female. This variety, Berry Heavy, is female, so you will need to purchase the male variety, Mr. Poppins winterberry holly, as well. While only the female plants will develop berries, one male can pollinate up to five females, berries galore!

2.) Pearl Glam® Beautyberry

Purple-pink berries for a unique pop of color!

Looking to go beyond the classic appeal of red berries? Try purple! Aptly named, this beautybush truly is a sight to see when its unique purple foliage gets paired with orchid-pink berries in autumn. While these berries may not endure winter like other berry covered bushes, we think its show in autumn gives it enough merit to add it to our list. Plus, when the reds and oranges of fall get tiring, this purple plant can jazz up your landscape with its unique hue.
Close up of the stunning pink berries and the dramatic dark purple foliage of the Pearl Glam Beautyberry shrub
Shop This
Close up of the large pink berries and blue-green foliage of the Proud Berry Coralberry shrub
Shop This

3.) Proud Berry® Coralberry

Bubblegum like berries add a sweet and unique twist!

Looking for some truly unique interest in fall? This coralberry is covered in a bounty of pink bubble-shaped berries in autumn, adding a whole new color to enjoy amongst fall’s traditional earthy palette. You’ll almost question what season you’re in and wonder if summer is really over because these bright berries are the last thing you’d expect to see in autumn. These berries won’t last into winter, but they will leave a lasting impression on your landscape.

4.) Tandoori Orange® Viburnum

Bright orange clusters of fruit, beloved by birds!

Not only is the shrub rugged, durable, and easy to care for, but it’s incredibly easy to look at. While its foamy white flowers look pretty in bloom, we love Tandoori Orange® because of its bountiful orange berry clusters in fall. Perfectly paired with fall’s color scheme, these berries fit right in. These berries persist through winter, providing interest when you need it most. Plus, the birds appreciate having something to snack on during these colder months.

Close up of the vibrant orange berries and textured green leaves of the Tandoori Orange Linden Viburnum shrub
Shop This

A note about Tandoori Orange® Pollination:

For best berry production, pair with Cardinal Candy viburnum, or another Viburnum dilatatum type for abundant fruit on both plants.

Close up of the tightly packed orange berries of the berry heavy gold winterberry holly shrub covered with light pillows of fluffy snow
Shop This

5.) Berry Heavy® Gold Winterberry Holly

A gold rush that persists through winter!

What’s better than a bounty of gold (berries)? We don’t think there’s much. Setting itself apart from other winterberry holly varieties, this golden berry topped shrub is the perfect addition to your quiet fall/winter landscape. We can’t think of a more beautiful sight than this winterberry holly in winter with its luminous gold berries covered in a fresh blanket of snow. Easy to care for and deer resistant, this joyful shrub is the perfect way to add some sunshine and cheer to your garden during the time it could use it most.

A note about Berry Heavy® Gold Winterberry Holly Pollination:

Winterberry holly plants are either female or male, and both a male and female plant are needed in order for fruit (berries) to form on the female. This variety, Berry Heavy® Gold, is female much like previously mentioned Berry Heavy, so you will need to purchase the male variety, Mr.  Poppins winterberry holly, as well. We like to think the more the merrier when it comes to berries.

How do you prepare your berry covered shrubs for the winter?

While these berry-bearing plants strut their stuff with their showy autumn and winter displays, you may be wondering how to prepare your plants best to last through the winter, especially those who live in harsher climates filled with frigid air and snow. It’s really more simple than you think to prepare these shrubs for winter and learn how to winterize your shrubs. To learn more about preparing your berry-covered shrubs and shrubs of all kinds for winter, explore our blog here.

Berries are an easy way of transforming your fall and winter landscapes.

Berry-covered bushes and shrubs are the perfect addition to any landscape. Adding up to two extra seasons of interest to your garden, these plants bring life to a typically dull time in the landscape because of their color and added texture. On top of their outward beauty, the fruit on these plants like Tandoori Orange® are beloved by birds and provide an essential food source for our local ecosystem. Whether you’re adding a bush that bears fruit in fall or one that continues its show into winter, you’ll be grateful you added one (or more) of these showy plants to your landscape.

Written by: Miranda Niemic, click here to read bio.

Questions, comments, or concerns? Let us know! We have an experienced, knowledgeable staff ready to make sure your garden turns out perfect. Or check out our other blogs, here.

 
Variegated hosta plant growing in a shade garden

Companion Plants for Hostas

What plants should you pair with your hostas? The possibilities seem endless, especially since hostas are one of the most versatile plants we offer. They come in an array...

December 5, 2022