Growing Berries: Berries Brighten Late Autumn

Among the plants producing colorful fall berries are hawthorn, pyracantha, crabapple, holly, bittersweet, euonymus and viburnum. The Washington hawthorne is a small tree with orange-red fruits that has produced heavily this season. Young trees often do not fruit heavily but, as plants become more mature, berry production becomes spectacular. Because of its thorns, Washington hawthorne should be pruned high, of planted where the thorns are not a hazard to passers-by or small children.

Another plant producing abundant berries this year is pyracantha, also known as firethorn. This spreading shrub produces large clusters of orange-red fruits along the branches. Because pyracantha is close to its northern limit in our climate, it is subject to winter damage which reduces berry production. However, the past mild winter left plants in good condition for an excellent display. Pyracantha is a close relative to the apple and is subject to some of the same diseases.

Most common are scab, which turns the berries black, and fireblight, which may cause canes to die back. Brilliant berries can not be mentioned without thinking of holly. Both deciduous and evergreen hollies producing bright red berries make a spectacular addition to the landscape. Two hollies with red berries that drop their leaves are possum haw (Ilex decidua) and winterberry (Ilex verticillala). Winterberry is a shrub but has greater cold hardness than possum haw or the evergreen hollies. Possum haw forms a small tree, and is best suited from mid-Missouri southward.

Both are heavy berry producers and hold berries well into the winter or until birds eat them. Many evergreen hollies may be grown in southern Missouri, but among the hardier ones for central Missouri and protected locations farther north are American holly. Foster's female plants must be present for abundant berry production in these hollies. The fruits of crabapples are also colorful. Both yellow and red varieties of numerous sizes are available. Do not plant crabapples close to walks or patios where the dropping fruit can get in the way.

Bittersweet is a twining vine, often found growing naturally on farm fences or trees. It may make a good landscape subject for fall color where adequate space is available for it to climb. Both male and female plants are necessary for berry production. Do not let it climb desirable trees, since it will twine around branches and eventually kill them as the vines tighten and enlarge.

Source:

http://gardening.about.com/od/berries/Growing_Berries.html