 SOFT FRUITS FOR THE
GARDEN AND BALCONYHave you noticed how increasingly the line between ornamental and edible plants is becoming blurred? In contemporary gardens it is now not unusual to find vegetables like cabbages or artichokes grown for the visual contribution that they make. Moving away from the old constraints of 'edible' and 'ornamental' can open up so many new options for planting. One group of plants that has members in both categories and is therefore especially versatile is the soft fruits. Examples of these include the family of Bilberry, Blueberry, Cranberry and Whortleberry (Vaccinium), Blackberries or Raspberries (Rubus) and the Flowering currants (Ribes).
Starting with the Flowering currant, these are probably most familiar to gardeners in their edible forms, blackcurrant, redcurrant and gooseberry. The non-edible Flowering currants are grown primarily for their beautiful flowers, which develop in spring or early summer. These are cup-shaped, tubular or bell-shaped, depending on the particular currant. Individual flowers are small, but are borne in generous quantities. This ensures that bushes earn their keep in terms of producing colourful splashes in shrub borders, or as part of informal hedging. Berries follow the flowers, spherical to ovoid in shape and ranging from black, through red and green to white, (remember these are inedible). Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a real corker, with varieties like 'Brocklebankii' or 'Pulborough Scarlet' offering the beauty of flowers, foliage and form.
Blackberry and Raspberry (Rubus) are familiar as hedgerow and garden plants producing beautiful sweet fruits in summer and autumn. But that really is only part of the story. Ornamental Rubus plants have much to offer in the way of lifting a shrub border, and in some cases you don't have to put up with scratchy thorns! Rubus 'Benenden' produces masses of pure white, rose like flowers, about 7cm across, in late spring and early summer, without thorny branches. For something to bring an unusual and attractive element to the garden, even in winter, consider Rubus biflorus. This deciduous shrub is erect and prickly, but its young shoots are whitish and very eye-catching in winter.
Bilberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, Whortleberry are members of the Vaccinium family and offer edible berries, flowers, and beautiful foliage. Many will do well on poorer soils, originating as they do from wild plants of bogs and moorland. These plants tend to look best in a naturalistic setting, such as a woodland garden.
Soft fruit plants have the potential to bring to the garden either a wilder feel (such as Blackberries and Raspberries), or the more formal structure of a flowering bush. Plants tend to be compact; if necessary, the more vigorous types can be kept small by strict pruning. This means you can enjoy them even if space is limited. In fact, these days small town, balcony and patio gardeners are making room for soft fruit, sometimes in pots and containers! Regardless of the space at your disposal and whether you opt for edible or inedible forms, the ornamental value of these plants is assured.
GARDENING HOME PAGE - NORTHAMPTONSHIRE INDEX - GO SHOPPING ON LINE
|
