There is a lot of beauty and practicality to be found in edible landscape plants—like berry plants. There is a wide variety to choose from, and they can arguably fit any yard, no matter what style or size it is. On top of that, berries aren’t high-maintenance, so they should look attractive throughout the year.
Even in non-blooming seasons, they don’t look unappealing. Besides their visual charm, you can also snack on them. You can have them across bushes or have them over hedges and ledges. If you want to start adding some edible beauty to your landscape, then consider the berries below.
Brambles
These are perfect for hedges because they tend to grow big and floppy. If your goal for your hedges is to really fill them up with dense berries, this is a good choice. Because of their nature, they can deter any animals from trying to go through the bushes.
Visually, they also provide nice coverage if you want to create some privacy. Some brambles can even spread in a way that forms a mat ground cover.
Blueberries
For blueberries, you’ll have the choice between highbush and lowbush. The former usually produces white flowers in the spring and red shades in the autumn. You can grow them in a container or let them grow out to up to six feet tall.
The latter only reaches around forty-five centimeters in height and can be spread by runners. If you have any patches in your landscape that refuse to grow grass or don’t have good growth, you can cover them up with these since they can withstand dry soil.
Strawberries
These delicious berries are a favorite for their beauty and delicious flavor. As for their visual practicality, they work great as ground cover.
If you pick the day-neutral type of berries, they should be easier to handle than the finickier June-bearing variations (which will only work with runners). Though their harvest is generally bountiful, you may find that this berry will need more attention to protect it against animals.
Grapes
This is the berry of choice if you’re looking for something to decorate your fences and higher structures. They grow in a vine, so it’s great for draping as well. They are gorgeous and delectable.
The thing to avoid is the temptation to plant them high above. Though they may look great from a height, going too high makes it harder to keep the vines pruned for continued growth.
Kiwi
This vining fruit is better for twining, as opposed to the draping nature of grapes. Their leaves are visually appealing as well because of their heart shape and large growth.
These take particularly more care in the beginning. However, they become among the most resilient over time. They can live for decades and continue to bear fruit, as long as you keep both male and female plants. Alternatively, you can use the “Issai” variation to nix the need for a duo to bear fruit.
Final Thoughts
All of the berries mentioned above are very easy to grow, and they are delicious to boot. If you’re particular about the color palette of your landscape, these can add pops of color to your liking. Mix this in with some botanical gardens, and you can really create a beautiful space worthy of gazing upon.
Looking for edible landscape design solutions and guides? Visit Blossom & Broom to get help on all things home and garden.
