Berries In the Garden

Jul 10
3 min read

Whether you have a tiny balcony garden or a sprawling backyard, berries are one of the most rewarding plants to grow. Not only do they bring beauty, pollinators, and seasonal interest, but they also produce delicious, nutritious fruit for you and your family to enjoy.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the most popular and garden-friendly native and non-native berries, so you can choose the best ones for your growing space—and support local ecosystems along the way. 🍓🌿

🌱 Why Plant Berries?

Edible & beautiful: Many berry plants flower in spring and fruit in summer or fall.
Pollinator-friendly: Especially native species that attract bees, butterflies, and birds.
Low-maintenance: Once established, many berries are drought-tolerant and resilient.
Nutrient-packed: Berries are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.

🍇 Native Berries (North America)

These berries are adapted to local climates and support native wildlife and pollinators.

✅ Currants (Ribes spp.)

Golden currant (Ribes aureum)
Black currant (Ribes americanum)
Swamp black currant (Ribes lacustre)

✅ Gooseberries (Ribes spp.)

Northern gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides)
Prickly gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati)
Western gooseberry (Ribes roezlii)

✅ Elderberries

American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – Small, dark berries used in syrups, wines, and jellies.

✅ Serviceberries / Juneberries

Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) – Sweet, nutty flavor, excellent for fresh eating or pies.

✅ Huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.)

Especially common in the Pacific Northwest and mountainous regions.

✅ Dewberries (Rubus flagellaris)

Similar to blackberries but trail along the ground.

✅ Thimbleberries (Rubus parviflorus)

Raspberry-like fruit with soft, tart-sweet flavor.

✅ Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis)

Grows in moist forests; produces orange-red berries.
and more

🌍 Non-Native Berries (Commonly Grown in Gardens)

These are popular in home gardens for their productivity and taste but are not native to North America.

✅ Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)

Everbearing or June-bearing; perfect for containers or ground beds.

✅ Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Technically native to parts of North America, but many hybrids are cultivated varieties. Require acidic soil.

✅ Raspberries (Rubus idaeus)

Red, black, and golden types available. Fruiting in summer or fall.

✅ Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus)

Large, sweet fruits with vigorous growth. Thornless cultivars are available.

✅ Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum)

Also called “wolfberries”; rich in antioxidants. Needs sun and well-drained soil.

✅ Haskap / Honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea)

Cold-hardy, early-ripening berries with a tart-sweet taste.

✅ Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Native to boreal forests in Europe/Asia; excellent for acidic soils.

✅ Mulberries (Morus spp.)

Fast-growing trees with sweet black, red, or white fruit.

✅ Jostaberries

A hybrid between black currant and gooseberry; thornless and high-yielding.
and more

🌿 Berry Growing Tips

Know your zone: Always choose berries suited to your local climate and hardiness zone.
Soil matters: Most berries prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
Sunlight is key: Aim for 6–8 hours of sunlight daily for maximum fruiting.
Mulch and water: Mulching keeps weeds down and roots moist. Water consistently during fruiting season.
Prune wisely: Proper pruning increases yield and keeps plants healthy.

📸 Grow, Share & Inspire!

Are you growing any of these berries in your garden? We’d love to see!📷 Tag us on social media @FoodForestUtah and use #BerryBeautifulGarden for a chance to be featured.

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We share weekly tips, garden inspiration, seasonal planting reminders, and behind-the-scenes looks at our berry beds.

Happy berry growing! Whether you go native to support your local ecosystem, or add in a few sweet imports, a berry patch is one of the most delicious parts of any garden. 🌿🍓🫐