Autumn and Winter Berries: Supporting Wildlife and Adding Beauty to Your Garden
By Veronica
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many plants prepare for winter by producing vibrant berries. These berries not only bring a splash of colour to the garden during the colder months, but they also support wildlife when it needs it the most. Below, we’ll explore some popular berry-producing plants and offer tips on how to grow them.
Skimmia is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of red or white berries that last through autumn and into winter as these are not edible so birds will not touch them. Its fragrant flowers are a real treat for pollinators in Spring, however, and if both male and female plants are present, the female plants will bear berries.
Growing Tips:
- Light: Skimmia prefers partial shade, making it ideal for spots with dappled light or where full sunlight might be too harsh.
- Soil: It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. If your soil is neutral or alkaline, consider adding ericaceous compost to lower the pH.
- Watering: Skimmia needs regular watering during its first year but becomes more drought-tolerant once established.
- Pruning: Light pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth.
For Skimmia to produce berries, you’ll need both male and female plants. Popular varieties include 'Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' (male) and ‘Pabella' (female). If space is limited, you can choose a self-fertile variety like ‘Temptation’, a compact shrub growing to about a metre high, or Reevesiana for a ground cover option.
NB: Skimmia Japonica is mildly toxic.
- Gaultheria (Gaultheria procumbens)
Also known as wintergreen or checkerberry, Gaultheria is a low-growing evergreen shrub that produces bright red berries in autumn which lasts through the winter. It is well-suited to woodland gardens or as ground cover (15 cm high), thanks to its creeping habit. It is self-fertile and holds the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.
Growing Tips:
- Light: Gaultheria thrives in partial to full shade, making it a great choice for shaded corners of your garden.
- Soil: Like Skimmia, Gaultheria prefers acidic, well-drained soil. Regularly mulching with organic matter helps maintain the right conditions.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. However, ensure the plant is not sitting in waterlogged soil, as this can cause root rot.
- Pruning: Little pruning is necessary for Gaultheria, but you can remove any dead or damaged branches in spring to keep it tidy.
One popular variety is Gaultheria procumbens ‘Big Berry,’ which produces larger-than-average berries for an extra splash of color in your garden.
NB: Although attractive to birds, Gaultheria is considered toxic and should be kept away from children and pets.
Pyracantha, or firethorn, is a versatile, thorny shrub that produces abundant clusters of orange, red, or yellow berries in late autumn, often lasting into winter. It also features abundant small white flowers in spring and summer, making it an attractive plant year-round. It can be grown against a wall where the space is scarce or as a protective hedge.
Pyracantha is a favourite among birds, both for its berries and as a nesting site. The dense, thorny branches provide excellent protection from predators, while the berries are a vital food source for birds during the colder months. Insects are also drawn to its springtime flowers, offering pollinators an early nectar supply.
Growing Tips:
- Light: Pyracantha is adaptable and can grow in full sun to partial shade. However, full sun encourages more abundant flowering and berry production.
- Soil: It can tolerate a variety of soil types, if they are well-drained. It is quite resilient and can even thrive in poor soil.
- Watering: Once established, Pyracantha is drought tolerant. Water regularly during its first year and during prolonged dry periods thereafter.
- Pruning: Pyracantha requires regular pruning to keep its shape and prevent it from becoming overgrown. Prune after flowering to remove dead or damaged branches and shape the shrub.
Popular varieties include Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ and Pyracantha ‘Mohave,’ known for their stunning berry displays.
- Sorbus (Sorbus aucuparia)
Commonly known as rowan or mountain ash, Sorbus is a deciduous tree that produces clusters of bright red or orange berries in autumn. Its delicate, feather-like leaves turn fiery shades of red and orange before they drop, leaving the berries to stand out against bare branches.
Sorbus berries are a favourite among many bird species, including blackbirds, thrushes, and waxwings. The tree's flowers also attract pollinators like bees and other insects in spring, making it a valuable year-round asset for wildlife.
Growing Tips:
- Light: Sorbus thrives in full sun or partial shade, making it versatile for most garden settings.
- Soil: It prefers well-drained soil but can tolerate a range of conditions, including clay.
- Watering: Regular watering is required during dry periods, especially when young.
- Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed but removing dead or weak branches in winter helps maintain its shape and health.
- Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.)
Cotoneaster is a versatile, evergreen or deciduous shrub that produces small white or pink flowers in spring, followed by red, orange, or yellow berries that last through autumn and winter. It can be grown as a ground cover or a hedge and is known for its arching branches.
Cotoneaster berries are a key food source for birds, particularly blackbirds and thrushes. The dense foliage also provides shelter for nesting birds and insects, while the flowers attract pollinators like bees in spring.
Growing Tips:
- Light: Cotoneaster prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade.
- Soil: It is adaptable to most soil types, as long as they are well-drained.
- Watering: Once established, Cotoneaster is relatively drought-tolerant. Water deeply during dry periods.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring to maintain shape and remove dead branches.
Benefits for Your Garden and Wildlife
Adding these berry-producing plants to your garden not only enhances its aesthetic appeal during the duller months but also supports local wildlife. Birds, in particular, rely on berries as a crucial food source during autumn and winter when insects are scarce and seeds are harder to come by.
In addition, these plants offer shelter and protection for birds and small mammals, providing them with safe nesting sites and refuge from predators.
General Care Tips for Berry-Producing Plants:
- Companion Planting: Combine berry-producing plants with other evergreen shrubs or winter-flowering plants like hellebores or cyclamens to create a year-round haven for wildlife and ensure your garden remains colourful and inviting.
- Mulching: Adding a layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture, improve soil health, and protect roots during frost.
- Bird Care: If you notice birds flocking to your berry bushes, consider adding bird feeders and water sources nearby to further support them through the winter months.
By planting Skimmias, Gaultherias, Pyracanthas, Sorbuses, and Cotoneasters, you can create a garden that not only offers visual interest in the darker months but also becomes a sanctuary for wildlife. Birds, pollinators, and small mammals will benefit from the food and shelter these plants provide, ensuring your garden stays alive and vibrant through autumn and winter.
Other options include holly, this prickly, native shrub needs a bit of space but adds interest all year-round, unless you choose the Verticillata variety for its showy berries on bare wood that are praised by florists. Dog rose, a wild hedgerow favourite with larger red berries that can be used for cosmetics or syrups.
Please bear in mind, however, that most of these berries are not suitable for human consumption!
Happy gardening!
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