Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Fall Fruit

 Foliage isn't the only fall color option - 
berries are another highlight.
I spotted these fruit bearers in my area,
which can broaden and lengthen fall interest in your garden.

Beautyberry (Callicarpa), with
jewel-like berry clusters
is a unique ornament in the fall garden.


The bright berries of Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) 
follow crimson fall foliage.


Chokeberry foliage
 
Chokeberry berries


Tiny Cotoneaster berries (left front)
echo burgundy flowers of
Autumn Joy Sedum.



   Firethorn (Pyracantha) has a wild and wooly form...


but can be tamed into a uniform shape by pruning.
 Its name hints at the thorns that make maintenance a challenge.

Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina), has showy fruit to complement its fall foliage color.

Be aware that Heavenly Bamboo is considered invasive in southeastern US - 

In early fall, winterberry's fruit (Ilex verticilata) 
peeks meekly from between the leaves,


...but grabs our attention once the leaves are gone.

Winterberry

Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is typically a dioecious plant.
Female plants produce blue-grey fruit if a male plant is present for pollination.
'Myriman' is a male pollinator, while 'Morton' (Silver Sprite) is a female fruiting clone.
Hollies (Ilex) also require a male pollinator for females to bear fruit.


Hollies (Ilex) also require a male pollinator for female plants to bear fruit. 




Yellow crabapple berries dazzle in the sun.
Malus 'Hozam' Holiday Gold, is a variety that bears yellow fruit.





Many crabapples bear red fruit.


A weeping crabapple (perhaps Malus x scheideckeri 'Red Jade') 
is dripping with red "gems".
\

Winter King Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King')
has great winter presence with vivid red berries.


Bright Winter King Hawthorn berries
So much color just waiting to be appreciated!
For more color ideas, see 
Fall Foliage Shrubs and Trees.
For even more amazing fall colors, 




8 comments:

Janet/Plantaliscious said...

Great selection of plants for Autumn interest - though it made me smile as my garden is now definitely in winter mode, and is covered in hoar frost! Mind you, the berried on the Firethorn and vine are giving some colour, as is the Mahonia, which is a blaze of yellow beneath the frosty coating.

Anonymous said...

Good point and photos on berries. Berry good selection, too!

Chris said...

Plantaliscious- The temps have taken a dive and snow will soon be upon us here in southcentral PA, too! I'm sure that bright berries peeking out from under snow and ice are a welcome sight.

GWGT- If we'll only take the time to look, there's so much beauty around us to enjoy.

Unknown said...

Wow !!!! I love those colors. Nice post and thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I bet the birds are loving these plants! I have five flowering pear trees in my front yard that are loaded with berries. The birds will have a nice feast on them soon. Great post!

Toni said...

Yes, you are going to have some happy birds in your area this winter! My neighbor has a Possomhaw tree in her yard that is covered with red berries all winter. Whenever we do get snow, the red berries against the snow is a sight to behold. And then in the spring multitudes of Cedar Waxwings swoop in and eat it clean of berries in a matter of minutes. Amazing sight to see!

tina said...

You have some fantastic color in your garden. Those chokeberries are the best!!!!

Alistair said...

Fantastic berries giving great colour and food for our feathered friends. I really do like the Callicarpa, although the plant does survive here in Aberdeen Scotland, berries refuse to form, I think our Summer is a little on the cool side.

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