In this article, we will explore some of the different types of berry-producing plants available for Australian gardens and the benefits they offer.
Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, berry-producing plants are a valuable addition to any outdoor space.
Syzygium australe (Lilly Pilly)
Syzygium Australe Lilly Pilly
Lilly pillies are popular Australian natives that grow in a variety of conditions and soil types. They’re commonly grown as hedges and make perfect screening plants.
There are around 60 different Lilly Pilly varieties that are native to Australia and Southeast Asia. In addition, there are also quite a few different cultivars and hybrids that have become popular across the country.
Not only do Lilly pillies have attractive foliage with lovely new red growth but they also produce edible berries that are quite popular for making into jams. Of course, the birds love these fruits too.
Lilly pillies can grow into large trees reaching a height of around 6 metres. However, they are quite happy to be trimmed and pruned to a more suitable height.
Malus (Crabapple)
Malus (Crabapple)
Crabapple (Malus) is a deciduous tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is native to North America and Europe, and has been cultivated for its fruit and ornamental value.
Crabapple trees are known for their small, round apples that have a tart flavour. They have a compact, rounded shape and generally grow to around 6 metres tall but this varies by variety.
The leaves are oval and dark green, turning yellow, orange or red in autumn. The flowers are white or pink and appear in spring, followed by the fruit in late summer or early autumn.
Crabapples are popular in gardens and orchards, and the berries can be used to make jams, jellies and cider.
Eugenia reinwardtiana (Cedar Bay Cherry)
Eugenia reinwardtiana
Eugenia reinwardtiana, also known as the Beach cherry or Cedar Bay cherry, is native to the Northeast tropical areas of Australia.
It’s a large shrub or small tree that typically grows to 2 to 6 metres in height. It’s commonly found in tropical and subtropical rainforests.
This plant has white flowers that are followed by fleshy berries. The fruits are edible, but their taste can be hit or miss.
Morus (Mulberry)
Mulberry trees are fairly low-care plants that don’t need a lot of maintenance. What’s more, they can be grown in almost every part of Australia.
Mulberries are graceful trees with weeping stems and foliage and delicious small fruits that you can harvest to make jam. That is if you can get them before the birds do!
If you have the space in your garden, you can grow a mulberry into a large standard tree. Otherwise, there are smaller growing varieties that can be grown as bushes if trimmed regularly.
Blueberry Ash is a fast-growing Australian native that usually grows to around 5 meters tall. It produces lovely pink flowers which are followed by small blue berries.
This small evergreen tree is also low maintenance, so it’s a great option for people who don’t have much time to spend on their garden.
Liriope muscari (Lily turf)
Liriope muscari
Liriope muscari is one of those landscaping plants that you can just plant and forget. It’s a tufted grass plant that is perfect for mass planting as a border in your front garden. It’s adaptable to virtually any type of soil and will grow in both full sun and shade.
In late autumn, the plant will produce masses of tall flower spikes with blue to pink flowers. Once the flowers are finished, purple to black berries will form to add some additional colour to your front yard.
You can even rejuvenate these plants in late winter by trimming all the leaves back to 5 cm above the ground. Once you do this, new foliage will start to grow in spring and your plants will look lovely and fresh again.
Cordyline stricta, also known as the Slender Palm Lily, is an Australian native evergreen shrub that can grow up to 5 metres tall. It is commonly found in rainforests.
It has narrow, strappy leaves and small black berries. It can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. This plant prefers moist conditions but is also drought tolerant.
Enchylaena tomentosa, or Ruby Salt-bush, is an evergreen native shrub. It is a very hardy plant, able to withstand harsh conditions across the country.
This plant produces red fruits that are eaten by native birds and mammals. It requires well-drained soils to thrive.
Based in Melbourne, Steve's passion is vegetable gardening, and he’s been writing about it for almost 5 years.
He also loves all things DIY and is always looking for a new project.
When not working on his own garden projects or blogging, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, cooking meals with produce harvested from his garden, and coaching his son’s footy team.
