- Are there any food producing shrubs that thrive in Victoria climate?
We are all seeking ways to enhance our gardens, and particularly enhancing our edible landscapes. Consider selecting shrubs, small/dwarf fruit trees or perennials that give you a bounty of tasty treats. Generally, you’ll need to have a spot with good sun (8 hours a day) as well as good soil with good drainage.
Shrubs:
Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum cultivars) - zone 3. Blueberries form a rounded, upright shrub about 4-5 feet tall at maturity. The simple blue-green leaves turn brilliant crimson in autumn and with an intricate branching structure, blueberries add winter interest. You’ll need at least two different cultivars to ensure cross-pollination;
Red Currants (Ribes rubrum cultivars) and Black Currants (R. nigrum cultivars) - zone 4 Currants form shrubs, live 12-`5 years and grow up to about 5 feet high. An excellent fruit for pies, wine and jelly, red and black currants ripen from June to August on high-yielding shrubs. Their early-spring blooms of brilliant pink or white attract hummingbirds;
Gooseberries (Ribes grossularia cultivars) - zone 5. This is an easy to grow shrub, productive for up to 15 years, with fruit that ripens in early July. The plant has a 4 ft round shape with green-white flowers that attract hummingbirds. Can be grown in full sun or semi-shade;
Raspberries (Rubus idaeus cultivars) - zone 4. Individual raspberry canes can live up to 10 years, each year growing new canes that produce the fruit in their second year. Most raspberry varieties are self pollinating. They need sun and well-drained good soil and will require annual pruning;
Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus cultivars) - zone 4. Blackberries can be erect (bushes) or trailing (long canes requiring support), with thorns or thornless. They are easy to grow and require sun, plenty of moisture, good soil with good drainage. They produce beautiful sweet berries on second year canes, so pruning is important. Consider mulching to protect and retain moisture;
Kiwi – (Actinidia Argutua) – fast growing deciduous vines , similar to grape vines, that prefer warmer temperatures. A good choice for this area is to select hardy Kiwi such as the self-fertile Issai which has fruit more similar to a grape than the traditional fuzzy kiwi. They have smooth edible skins, excellent flavour and aroma.
Small trees:
Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) - zone 4. Large multi-stemmed shrub that is sometimes trained as a small tree. This hard-working tree is truly a four-season delight, with masses of yellow spring blooms, abundant red fruit, fall colour and beautiful bark for winter interest;
Fig tree (Ficus carica) - zone 7. This deciduous tree has attractive foliage with small green fruits that darken when ripe. Fig trees can grow tall but respond well to pruning, to keep them quite small. Fig trees are good grown in pots because the roots do best in a tight space and the pots can also be brought inside in colder months;
Stone fruits like peaches, plums These deciduous trees can be espaliered keeping them trim and easily managed; Apple, pear tree or stone fruits – dwarf varieties – Zones 3-6 – Dwarf apple or pear trees are among the most sought after small trees. They need a lot of sun and at least two varieties for successful pollination. Dwarf apple trees will start bearing fruit 2-3 years after planting; pears will be 3 to 10 years to produce fruit and stone fruits like peaches will be 2-5 years. Be sure to check size at maturity as well as hardiness for your garden zone.
Perennials:
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) - zone 2. This makes a beautiful "hedge," with ferny foliage up to 1 m (3 ft) high. Wait until plants are three years old to begin harvesting the spears;
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) - zone 4 A member of the sunflower family, this very vigorous perennial can reach 10 ft high and has a gorgeous yellow sunflower-type bloom;
Rhubarb (Rheum) - zone 5 A classic reliable perennial, rhubarb has been grown for many years in gardens as a staple. Rhubarb is easy to grow, productive and attractive with its bold, tropical-looking leaves and ruby-red, green or pink stems.
Sources
Almanac - Blackberries
Oregon State University - Berries
The Spruce – Dwarf Trees You Can Grow in Small Yards and Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
University of Minnesota Extension – Growing Apples, Pears or Stone fruits in the Home Garden
Washington State University – Growing Kiwifruit
Return to:
Vegetable Question Page
Shrubs page
You Asked Us page
Victoria Chapter page