Fruit bushes not only make decent landscape plants when used in hedge rows, as bases or along fence rows for additional privacy, they also supply edible fruit. Fruiting shrubs reach maturity and begin to produce fruit in as little as a year. Plant shrubs with fruits which ripen at different times of the year for a continuous harvest. Fruit-bearing plants require full sunlight and regular watering.
Raspberries
Raspberry bushes (Rubus spp.) Grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, depending on the species. There are black and red varieties, in addition to dwarf and thornless cultivars. Red raspberries ripen in fall or summer, while black raspberries don’t have fall-ripening varieties. The deciduous shrubs prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 and plenty of organic matter. The berries grow on canes and achieve about 6 ft in height. Trellises are frequently necessary to maintain the canes upright.
Blueberries
Blueberry bushes (Vaccinium spp.) grow in USDA zones 6 through 10. The semi-evergreen plants develop about 4 feet tall, and require highly acidic soil with a pH of around 4.5. Blueberries have shallow roots, so combining peat moss and sulfur into the top foot of dirt provides the necessary acidity. Blueberries ripen in the summer and attract birds, so may require a netting cover to protect the fruit. Plant more than one number of blueberry shrub to produce a much better crop.
Currants
Currants (Ribes spp.) grow in USDA zones 3 through 8. There are pink, red, black and black varieties that grow on bushes that reach up to five feet tall. Currant bushes are fast growing, and unlike many fruiting plants, do best in a place that gets morning sun and afternoon shade rather than full sunlight. The shrubs require a soil that’s deep in organic matter and also slightly acidic. Currants ripen in the summer, and perform best in moderate to cool spaces.
Blackberries
Blackberries (Rubus spp.) Are deciduous shrubs which grow in USDA zones 4 through 8. The growing addiction for your berry bush is similar to that of raspberries. Blackberries will spread readily, so they ought to be implanted with a 12-inch deep barrier around the roots of the shrubs to keep them confined to the area. The berries grow on fast-growing 5-foot canes and ripen from summer through frost, depending on the cultivar. Like raspberries, there are both thorny and thornless plant options. Blackberries would rather have a well-draining slightly acidic soil.