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Why do plants produce berries

01:00 Fri 26th Oct 2001 | Home & Garden

A.� Berries are another of nature's clever reproduction tricks. Birds and other creatures eat the berries as they build up the reserves either for migration or to withstand the cold temperatures that are on their way. Inside the berry or fruit are the plant's seeds, which the animal excretes away from the mother plant, where hopefully they will have a chance to germinate and keep the family line going.

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Q.� Why are berries so important to the gardener

A.� For their brilliant colours which last well into the winter, long after the last of the autumnal leaves have fallen. Colours go from pure white, through yellow, orange and red to blue and black.

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They also attract wildlife into the garden. Watching birds and other wildlife feed is one of the highlights of the winter garden, so plant berry bearing trees and shrubs near windows or close to a secluded bench.

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Q.� What sort of conditions produce the best show

A.� Apart from following the planting advice for the given shrub or tree, the ideal conditions for a good harvest are almost exactly what we've had recently that have made for what is anecdotally, if not statistically, reckoned to be one of the best year on record.

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The combination of plenty of rainfall during the autumn, which helps swell the buds, and the absence of a late spring frost have made for a bumper crop.

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Q.� What trees would you recommend

A.� It is hard to beat a crab apples (Malus) that are smothered in small gold fruit at this time of year. They make good pollinators for other varieties of apple, have wonderful blossom in spring and, because they don't usually get too big, are suitable for small as well as larger gardens.

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The Sorbus (rowan) are right up there to. Again there are plenty of varieties that are manageable in small gardens and you can take your pick from the white berries of S.cashmiriana or S. pratti, the pink of S. hupehensis to the crimson reds of S. commixta or S. reducata, which has the added bonus of red and purple foliage in autumn.

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And it would be quite wrong to forget our own native hollies (Ilex), with bright red berries that will last past Christmas if the birds and the Christmas decorations allow. Remember you will need to plant a male and a female to ensure you get berries.

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For something a little more exotic, why not try the Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo, so named because of its distinctive warty red fruits in autumn. It should be hardy in all but the coldest parts of the UK and has the added attraction of its wonderful cinnamon coloured bark all year round.

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Q.� What about shrubs

A.� The classics are the low growing or wall-trained Cotoneasters and Pyrcantha, commonly known as the firethorn because of the range of colours its fruits produce. The berries of P. 'Soleil D'Or' are brightest yellow while at the other end of the spectrum those of P. Mohave are deep red.

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Don't forget the roses, especially the hedging rose Rosa rugosa that bears large reddy-orange hips deep into the winter.

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Skimmias are real star turns, as birds don't actually like the berries so they look good all winter long. Again you will need male and female in close proximity but they also have the advantage of fragrant white flowers in spring and the ability to grow in deep shade.

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Q.� When should we planting these

A.� Right now. All the trees and shrubs listed above are best planted in autumn while the soil is still warm, and you can look forward to an inaugural show next autumn.

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If you've got a question about your home or garden, click here.

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By Tom Gard

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