Uncommon Berry Bushes for Home Gardens

Berry bushes are an excellent source of tasty homegrown food. They’re also often easier to grow than fruit trees or a vegetable garden.

Many gardeners are only familiar with a small variety of berries that are commercially available and widely sold for home growing. However, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries aren’t your only options. There are many lesser-known, easy-to-grow berry bushes that can bring new, delicious flavors to your kitchen. 

Reasons to Grow a Variety of Berry Bushes

Because certain berries are more common to find at a produce market or grocery store, it makes sense to use your garden space to grow some less common berries. Here are a few additional reasons to consider growing a variety of berry bushes:

• Many uncommon berry plants are native to North American regions; a plant in its native land is less likely to suffer from disease or environmental stress.

• Berry shrubs can be an excellent food source for pollinating insects, birds, and mammals.

• Uncommon berries offer unique flavors, creating opportunities for interesting jams, jellies, juices, and baked goods.

• Many berries are exceptionally rich in vitamins and cancer-fighting antioxidants.

• Picking berries from your own backyard berry bushes is fast and convenient.

Interesting Berries You Can Grow in Your Garden

If you’re unsure what type of berries you might like to grow here’s a list of some of the more uncommon berry bushes, where they grow naturally, and different ways to use them:

Haskap Berry (Lonicera caerulea)

Origin: Boreal forest wetlands in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Nutritional Benefits: High in fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and manganese.

Flavor and Uses: Tart and sweet; good for jams, pies, juices, or wine.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum)

Origin: Northwest China.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins A and C, fiber, iron, and protein; Goji berry has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for anti-aging and disease treatment.

Flavor and Uses: Tart, slightly sweet, like a sour cranberry; used in teas, juices, desserts, and tomato sauces.

Phalsa (Grewia asiatica)

Origin: South and Southeast Asia.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins A and C, calcium, fiber, and iron.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and tangy with a smooth sherbet-like texture; delicious in juices, smoothies, popsicles, and cocktails.

Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata)

Origin: Eastern North America.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins B and C, potassium, and antioxidants.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and juicy, similar in flavor to a blueberry; good for eating fresh or using in pancakes, muffins, pies, and jams.

Jostaberry (Ribes nidigrolaria)

Origin: Hybrid created by crossing three North American and European berry species.

Nutritional Benefits: High in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

Flavor and Uses: Similar to a green grape in appearance and texture, with a sweet, tart flavor; used in jams, pies, and baked goods.

Clove Currant (Ribes odoratum)

Origin: Central and eastern North America.

Nutritional Benefits: Richer in vitamin C than oranges, plus very high in antioxidants, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet, sour, and grapelike; tasty in jams, pies, and syrups.

Red Currant (Ribes rubrum)

Origin: Western Europe.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins C and K and antioxidants.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and very tart; used in jams, sauces, and liqueurs or as a garnish for desserts and savory dishes.

American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum)

Origin: northern North America

Nutritional Benefits: High in fiber, vitamins B and C, and potassium.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and tart, similar to rhubarb; tasty in jams, pies, and tarts.

White Currant (Ribus rubrum)

Origin: Western and Northern Europe.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins C and K and antioxidants.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and tart, milder than red currant; used in jams, cakes, and as a unique cheesecake garnish.

Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium)

Origin: Western North America.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins A, B, and C, antioxidants, and carotene.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and tangy; good for eating fresh or using in jams, pies, and baked goods.

American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

Origin: Low, wet areas in Northern North America.

Nutritional Benefits: High in fiber, manganese, and phenols; beneficial for gut health and urinary tract health.

Flavor and Uses: Sweet and slightly tart; great for drying and adding to salads, juices, and desserts.

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Origin: Western North America.

Nutritional Benefits: High in antioxidants and vitamins A and C.

Flavor and Uses: Juicy, earthy, and grapelike; tasty for eating fresh or using in jams and desserts.

Glossy Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Origin: Central and eastern North America.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamin C, fiber, manganese, and polyphenols; research indicates potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, as well as cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.

Flavor and Uses: Bitter when raw, but tasty when sweetened and cooked; good in juices, jams, teas, syrups, and wines.

Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)

Origin: East Asia.

Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins A, B, C, E, and lutein.

Flavor and Uses: Like a mini version of the familiar kiwi, sweet and melon-like with tiny edible seeds; can be eaten raw or dried and is popular as a home-brew wine fruit.

Find More Ways to Expand Your Edible Landscape

Nuts and berries are a delicious and nutritious duo, perfect for flavoring everything from sweets like ice creams, pancakes, and cereals to leafy green salads. Learn all about 6 Popular Nut Trees to see if any are suitable for growing in your backyard.