In this video, Shelley Levis introduces you to four of her favourite shrubs that produce colourful berries in Fall. These include: Callicarpa, Aronia 'Autumn Magic', Spring Bouquet Viburnum and Victory Pyracantha
Spring Bouquet Viburnum
Viburnum tinus 'Spring Bouquet' (also called 'Compactum')
Spring Bouquet Viburnum is a beautiful evergreen shrub with lightly fragrant, pinkish white flowers. Flowers form striking metallic bluish-purple berries in fall. A dense, compact growth habit makes it a favourite choice for small hedges, screens and foundation plantings. Prefers full to partial sun in moist, but well drained soils. Grows moderately quick to 4-6ft tall and wide. Hardy in USDA zones 7-11
Autumn Magic Chokeberry / Chokecherry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'
Originally from the University of British Columbia, Autumn Magic Chokeberry is a compact, ornamental shrub with small clusters of white flowers in the spring, followed by purplish-black berries in the fall. The berries are somewhat edible, but quite tart. They are best suited for jams, jellies and baking when combined with other sweeter berries. Foliage turns a brilliant red in the fall. Needs full sun but tolerates extreme cold - it's hardy to zone 3!
Victory Firethorn / Pyracantha
Pyracantha koidzumii 'Victory'
Victory Firethorn, or Pyracantha as it is also known is a great deer resistant barrier shrub for the garden. Masses of white spring flowers turn into colourful orange berries that attract birds in the fall. It is easy to grow and waterwise for added benefit. Prefers full sun and is hardy in zones 7-9. Grows 8-10ft tall and 6-8ft wide.
Profusion Beauty Berry Shrub
Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'
Beauty Berry gets its name from the masses of metallic purple berries that cover its foliage in fall and winter. It is a superb deciduous shrub with green foliage that has an exciting bronze tinge when new. Small purplish flowers appear in summer amongst the large green leaves. Prune in late winter to early spring to encourage new growth. Prefers full sun. Grows to 6-10ft high and wide. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8.
Two More Plants That Didn't Make The Video!
As we tried our best to keep the video short, these two plants were not included, but are still great fall berry producing plants.
Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
This groundcover evergreen plant forms low mounds of dark green foliage, often with a reddish hue.. White waxy, urn-shaped flowers are borne in the late spring to early summer and are followed by round red fruits. Fruits are 'somewhat' edible. they have a striking wintergreen - peppermint like flavour, but are very pithy and bland. Wintergreen is an excellent plant for acidic soils and partial sun or shade. Grows up to 12 inches in height and 3ft across.
Red Beauty Holly
Ilex x 'Rutzan'
Red Beauty Holly delivers abundant crops of bright red berries combined with dense, deep green, evergreen spiny foliage. Tiny white flowers emerge in spring. It is excellent as a specimen or in an informal hedge. Use for framing an entrance or lining a drive. Maintains a dense form with little or no pruning. Red Beauty forms a dense, upright conical form 7-10ft tall and 4-5ft wide. Needs full to part sun and regular watering. Hardy in USDA zones 6-10.
If you have any questions about these plants, or want to add them to your garden, drop by Art's Nursery, or give us a call at 604.882.1201. We'd be happy to assist you! As always, call ahead to confirm availability as our selection is always changing.