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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010
Finding beauty in berries Jams and juices not the only uses of fruiting plants
Berries can add colour and character to outdoor spaces
DEAN FOSDICK/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Grapevines add instant elegance to any arbour.
Berry plants bloom in spring, fruit in summer and dazzle again in autumn, combining fashionable form with edible function. Strawberries make an attractive ground cover, especially when flowering. Leaves on blueberry plants turn crimson in fall, and their bare red stems stand out dramatically against the wintertime snow. Grapevines draped over arbours are eye-catching any time of year. “There's also no great mystery in growing them,” said Barbara Bowling, author of The Berry Grower's Companion (Timber Press, 2000). “If you select a good site and pay attention, you can grow wonderful fruit and have an interesting plant to boot.” Maintenance is minimal, but that doesn't mean the plants can be ignored. “Water a day late and
you've done avoidable damage,” Bowling said from her home in Boise, Idaho. “Weed a week late and it's the same deal. Harvest the fruit late and you have a mess.” Time for a little definition. Fruits commonly called “berries” include strawberries, brambles (raspberries, blackberries and various hybrids), blueberries, cranberries, currants, grapes, gooseberries and elderberries, Bowling said. Berries deliver a remarkable range of flavours and come in a wide range of colours. They frequently are eaten fresh, but just as often are processed into juices, jams, pastries and dairy products such as smoothies. “Berries are high in nutrients and fibre and low in fat. Many species have high levels of numerous antioxidants and anti-tu-
mour compounds,” Bowling said. They require little space in which to grow, and many begin fruiting just two to three years after planting. Fruiting plants come in many shapes, from low growing (strawberries), to tall clustered canes (blueberries, elderberries), or vines (grapes, kiwi).
Which berry plants should you grow? Veteran gardeners suggest starting with something you like, then narrowing it to cultivars hardy enough for your region. Choose sites with good drainage and plenty of sun. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PAT WELLENBACH/THE ASSOCIATE PRESS
Berry plants are flavourful favourites in many kitchen gardens, but their ornamental value is often ignored.