Part I-Minor Fruits for the Home Garden - Page: 2

Some unusual fruits are likely not available in supermarkets or at produce stands. Chances are, if you want to try jujubes, mayhaws, or hackberries, you'll need to grow them yourself. Here's an introduction to some of the lesser-known fruits. Part II will follow.

Bearberry

Despite the name, bearberries are quite edible. The trailing evergreen plants are hardy in USDA zones 3-7. They are native to northern regions of the U.S. and parts of Canada. Bearberry is often used as a ground cover, since the trailing stems can spread several feet from the center of the plant.

Though it will grow in other soils, it does best on well-drained, acidic soils. During the fall, the pea-sized fruits ripen to bright red. Several cultivars of this plant are available. Supposedly, bears are fond of the fruits. These plants are deer-resistant.

Jujube

This fruit is suitable for zones 6 through 10. Give this tree a sunny, warm spot. Most any kind of soil will do. With this tree, you probably won't have to worry about frost damaging the flowers, since it usually blooms after the danger of frost is past in the spring.

Fruit gardeners may dislike the suckers this plant produces, but they are easily removed. This small, deciduous tree tends to have a weeping growth habit. Spines may be found on some cultivars, but this is more commonly seen in younger trees. Cross-pollination will lead to larger crops.

The fruits can vary from about the size of a grape to that of an apricot. Before harvesting the fruits, first decide whether you want to eat them fresh or dried. They're ready to pick once they turn rich mahogany. The inner flesh will be white and crisp with a delicate sweetness. Gardeners can also leave fruits on the plant until they begin to shrivel and dry. That is where the other common name, Chinese date, comes from.

Mayhaw

Most mayhaw fruits are harvested from wild trees. There is no reason gardeners can't grow them. Those who haven't tried these fruits are in for a treat. I enjoyed them as a child.

There are several species of mayhaws, which are native to much of the Southeast and Gulf Coast. However, some are hardy enough to grow in colder climates. They survive as far north as Ohio and Tennessee. In cold areas, there is a risk that the flowers might get damaged by late frost.

Generally, the trees are about twenty feet or so in height with about an equal spread. Mayhaws are a kind of hawthorn, which explains the presence of the thorns. The plants make good shade trees, and are suitable for lawns. Traditionally, the fruits are used to make jellies and preserves.

Mountain Ash or Service Tree

Some gardeners may wish to grow the native species of mountain ash in America. There are numerous cultivated kinds, including hybrids that are on the market. Among these are 'Ivan's Belle' and 'Ivan's Beauty.' Both of these hybrids were created by a well-known Russian plant breeder, Ivan Michurin. They are hardy to USDA zone 3, and will begin bearing the second year after planting.

'Ivan's Beauty' is a hybrid between mountain ash and chokecherry. This small hardy tree is only about ten feet in height. It is noted for its dark, glossy green foliage, which is somewhat larger than that of the usual mountain ash. Fruits, ½ inch in diameter, are almost black. They have a very sweet flavor.

'Ivan's Belle' is similar in size to 'Ivan's Beauty.' This tree is a cross between mountain ash and hawthorn. The flavor of the deep red fruits is described as a combination of sweet and acid.

Sea Buckthorn or Seaberry

It's a real shame this plant isn't widely known. It is perfect for drought-prone areas. As you can probably tell from the name, this is a salt tolerant species. Sea buckthorn is no relation to the buckthorn that has become an invasive plant in areas of the eastern U.S.

This easy to grow shrub is perfect for the edible landscape. It grows as a shrub that reaches about 5 to 18 feet in height. Native to Central Asia and Russia, the plants are quite attractive. So, they would be perfect for the edible landscape. Their most attractive feature is the linear, shiny, gray-green foliage. These plants are capable of fixing nitrogen from the air, so they will do well in poor soils.

If you do decide to grow sea buckthorn, be sure to get both male and female plants. Otherwise, you'll have no fruits. Clusters of the fruits will ripen in the fall. They're very long lasting. Often they are made into a juice. Because the berries are tart, you'll probably want to add some sugar. They are very high in Vitamin C.