Elements of Garden Design: The Berry Patch
Seriously people, what’s not to love about berry plants? Like many other good things in life, they can take some time to get established, but once they start producing, they’re a tasty and beautiful addition to the garden. They are perennials— so they return year after year without much hand-holding from yours truly. They produce fruit in abundance— so you’ll need to make space in the garage for a second freezer! 😜 They offer both color and structure— so they’ll help make the garden design pop. Incorporating berry plants into your design seems like an obvious choice to me, so let’s explore what you need to know to get started. Incorporating berry plants into your design seems like an obvious choice, so let’s explore what you need to know to get started.
1. What berries to choose?
First things first, choosing the berries that will thrive in your specific garden space is essential. Depending on your location, soil, and climate, some berry bushes may be better suited than others. Here’s a quick rundown of what each type offers:
Blackberries: These robust plants grow vigorously as canes and they provide large, juicy berries. Trailing or thornless varieties are easy to manage and great for trellising. Thorny varieties can serve as a living fence. They will produce by year 2.
Raspberries: Known for their sweet, tangy flavor, raspberries come in summer- and fall-bearing varieties, allowing you to extend the harvesting season. Like blackberries, they also grow as canes, and it’s important to consider if you want thornless varieties. They will produce by year 2.
Blueberries: Blueberries add ornamental value with their vibrant spring flowers and stunning fall foliage. They grow as shrubs, and can be pruned as needed. They require acidic soil and ample sunlight, and may not produce until year 3.
Strawberries: These low-growing plants are perfect for ground cover. There are June bearing varieties that produce a huge crop in the spring, and there are “ever-bearing” varieties that produce a smaller harvest all summer long. (We usually have both!) They do produce fruit in their first year.
2. Why do berries work well in garden design?
Blueberry Hedge, from Bushel and Berry
Berry bushes vary in size and growth habits, which makes them ideal when we need to vary the height in a garden.
Blueberry plants grow like a typical bush, and can be trimmed like a boxwood or azalea. Because of their tidy growth habit, blueberries can be placed at the entrance or in areas where you prefer a neat plant. The leaves of blueberry bushes also turn a beautiful red in the fall, so they can be eye-catching as garden colors fade later in the year.
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Raspberries and Blackberries, on the other hand, grow on long, arching canes that form a natural hedge, so they are perfect for the outer edges of your garden. While we love to install trellis wire alongside our blackberry canes so that they are easier to harvest, it’s also possible to let the canes grow wild— they will create a thicket and provide a living fence to deter deer and critters. If this is your goal, you may want to choose thorny varieties instead of smooth-stemmed.
Finally, strawberries not only produce our favorite shortcake topper, but they serve as ground cover. They grow vigorously on above-ground runners that spread in all directions. In many cases, I’ve seen one plant become ten plants over the course of the summer. Strawberries can also make a home in nooks and crannies that will shock you, so try them on a rocky outcropping, or let them drip over the side of a ledge.
3. How to care for your berry patch
While berry plants are relatively low-maintenance, proper care will ensure a long, productive life. Here are some key tips:
Pruning: Regular pruning is essential for managing the size and productivity of blackberry and raspberry plants. Removing old canes helps stimulate new growth and improves air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.
Mulching: Strawberries and blueberries benefit from mulching, which helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Organic mulch like pine needles is especially good for blueberries, as it helps maintain acidic soil conditions.
Fertilization: Most berry bushes appreciate a good feeding in the spring. We use an organic, slow-release fertilizer or compost to provide essential nutrients.
Watering: Berry bushes need consistent watering, especially during dry spells. Blueberries, in particular, are sensitive to drought conditions, so make sure to water them deeply.
4. Extending the Harvest Throughout the Season
One of the key benefits of berry bushes is the opportunity to stagger your harvest throughout the growing season. By planting a variety of berries with different ripening times, you can enjoy fresh fruit from spring to fall.
Spring: Start with early-bearing strawberries and summer-bearing raspberries.
Summer: Blackberries and mid-season blueberries will start to ripen.
Fall: Continue the berry feast with late-season raspberries. Hardy Kiwi is another option for fall harvests.
Whether you're planning a simple backyard plot or designing a lush edible landscape, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries can be the showstoppers that transform your garden into a functional, productive, and gorgeous space. If you want help planning what you want and where to plant, let us know. We’ll create a plan and you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor for years to come.
