Gardening offers and deals from Telegraph Garden Shop
Grow your own bountiful berries chosen by plant hunter Beth Corbett
There’s nothing quite more rewarding than growing your own fruit. Not only does it taste delicious, but berries are packed full of nutrients and vitamins so are incredibly healthy for you too. It’s also very convenient – no need to go to the shops to get fruit when you only need to step outside your door. It’s also perfect for getting the kids involved in gardening, as they will love being able to pick their own fruit and munch away on the tasty rewards.
This specially selected collection of scrumptious berry plants will all produce fruits in abundance, giving you high yields of berries to enjoy. Perfect for using in a variety of desserts, they are wonderful when made into jams, jellies, pies, and cakes among other delectable treats. All are easy to grow in a position of sun or part shade, so you do not need to be a highly experienced gardener to be able to grow your own.
Fully hardy shrubs.
Rubus fruticosus Dwarf Purple Opal
Compact in habit, this blackberry is ideal for planting in containers on a patio if you have limited space. Mouth-watering fruits are produced in late summer and autumn on thornless stems, so you no longer need to worry about pricking your fingers when picking them and this makes it a lot safer for children too. The deliciously sweet fruits are perfect for eating straight from the plant or for using in crumbles, pies, and other desserts. Height and spread 90cm.
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Elliott’
A late season blueberry variety with an upright habit. White flowers bloom among glossy green foliage in spring, which are then followed by an abundance of blue-black berries in late summer and into autumn. The fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins and can be enjoyed both straight from the plant as a healthy snack or can be used in a variety of desserts. Height and spread 1.5m.
Shop Vaccinium corymbosum online
Aronia x prunifolia ‘Nero’
Fragrant, white flowers bloom in spring among dark green foliage which are then followed by clusters of large, blue-black coloured berries which are full of vitamins. Then, in autumn, the leaves change colour to beautiful shades of red before falling. Whilst the berries are too bitter to be eaten straight from the plant, they are delicious when made into jams, jellies, pies, and syrups. Height 3m. Spread 2.5m.
Shop Aronia x prunifolia online
How to buy
Buy Beth’s bountiful berries
Buy Rubus fruticosus Dwarf Purple Opal for £14, Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Elliott’ for £12 and Aronia x prunifolia ‘Nero’ for £12 or buy the collection of 3 (1 of each) for £18 – Save £24. P&P £4.95. Supplied as 2 litre pots from January*. Order at gardenshop.telegraph.co.uk/fruit or call 03337720325. Contract for supply of goods is with Hayloft Plants Ltd. *Offers subject to availability. Offer closing date 31st January 2021.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest from our expert writers including features on seasonal plants and top gardens to visit.