How to Choose Shrubs for Colorful Fall & Winter Berries

Choose your location for this new garden shrub. It could be an addition to a garden bed, a special plant for a new garden, or even for a pot.

Some plants that can handle sun or shade:

Nandina domestica is one of my favorites. Classified as a partial evergreen, meaning that the plant sheds some leaves during the season; the overall color is a mix of light green, red, and orange. This plant can tolerate any soil and any light and it holds onto clusters of red berries for a long time.

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) grows 8-12 feet and its large glossy green leaves can be sheered into a hedge. The giant berries start out white, and then turn orange, and finally red. The fruit is a favorite for Robins who have just returned in the spring.

Elderberry (Sambuca) has so many different varieties from variegated to black. The shrub grows quickly to 12 feet tall, but can be cut back every year to keep it closer to 6. Clusters of red, blue, or black fruit can be eaten but the bland flavor is more loved by the birds.

Evergreen Blueberry (Vaccinium ovatum) has pretty green foliage tinted with rusty orange new growth. The blueberries are edible and sweet. 6 foot tall.

David Viburnum (Viburnum davidii) has large thick evergreen leaves. The clusters of blue berries hang on all winter before birds eat them in the spring. 3 feet tall and wide.

Kinickkinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an easy to grow, non-invasive ground cover. Tiny evergreen leaves compliment the red winter berries. Only 6 inches high.

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) grows 5 foot tall and spreads into clumps or thickets. The tiny leaves fall away and showcase the pure white berries that birds love. There is no other berry like it.

The sun lovers:

Firethorn (Pyracantha) can grow to 12 feet tall and can be pruned or even espaliered to keep at around 6 feet. Small evergreen leaves hide the sharp thorns; this is a good one to plant under windows that you don't want someone crawling through. The entire plant looks like its on fire when the orange or red berries cover the plant through the winter.

Cotoneaster (pronounced ca-tone-ee-ass-ter) comes in all kinds of varieties from a 6 inch tall ground cover to a 12 foot tall shrub. The one thing they have in common is berries! You can find one to suit almost any site. Evergreen or deciduous with excellent fall color.

Beautyberry (Callicarpa) has amazing purple berries that almost look fluorescent. The shrub grows 8 feet tall with spring flowers that are the same vibrant purple color.

A few shrubs that grow more like trees:

Serviceberry (Amelanchier) has beautiful fall color. Once the leaves are shed they reveal plump black berries that attract winter migrating birds. 25 feet tall, you can find them with a single or multi trunk.

Holly (Ilex) is a very recognizable evergreen with Christmas red berries. You need to have a male to pollinate the female if you want those berries. Most varieties grow 25 feet tall, but you can find some that are only 2 feet tall (variety: Little Rascal). Easy care plant with new cultivars being bread all the time.

Dogwood (Cornus) comes in groundcovers to trees. This is another group of plants that has a different variety that could fit a host of circumstances. Cornus mas (cornelian cherry) have bright yellow spring flowers, excellent fall color, and bright red berries bird love.