As the weather starts to ramp up here in North Dakota, gardeners get to look forward to reaping the rewards of their carefully planted berry bushes. If you haven’t planted one yet, but would like to, read on to learn about the best berry bushes to grow right here in Bismarck.
Raspberry Bushes
Raspberry bushes are one of the best bushes to grow because they’re extremely easy to take care of. They should be planted in spring once there’s no longer any risk of frost, and they love full sun. A good rule of thumb is that more sun equals more berries!
Raspberry bushes have shallow root systems, so they don’t need to be watered deeply, but they do dry out quicker. Providing them with a watering once a week should do the trick. However, a sign of underwatering are small, seedy berries. Pruning is a must when growing raspberries. The canes that bear fruit die after two summers, so to keep producing fruit (and keep your garden tidy), we recommend pruning as soon as you’ve collected the fruit.
It’s important to note that you won’t see fruit immediately after planting your raspberry bush. The first year is dedicated to strengthening root systems and the physical growth of the plant. The second year, however, you’ll be richly rewarded.
Serviceberry Bushes
Once you have an established serviceberry bush (or tree, depending on the cultivar), you can expect to see yields as early as June—one of the many reasons serviceberry bushes are one of the best to grow. These bushes also produce attractive white flowers, making them a pleasant addition to the garden.
The berries are dark-red to purple, and their flavor resembles a blueberry, though perhaps not quite as sweet. Inside the berry are soft seeds that have been described as having a slight almond flavor.
Serviceberry can grow in partial shade, but as we mentioned, for higher yields, a location in full sun is best. They like to be kept consistently moist; periods of drought can result in inadequate production and weak root systems. Prune your serviceberry annually, removing only what is necessary. You can prune either in early spring or late winter—as long as it’s before new growth appears.
Strawberry Bushes
Strawberries are like the American sweetheart of berries—everyone loves them! In our North Dakota climate, the most suitable varieties are part of the ever-bearing and June-bearing varieties. Ever-bearing means you’ll see two to three large crops between spring, late summer, and sometimes early fall. June-bearing means you’ll get one big harvest in June.
Strawberries aren’t too fussy, which makes them one of the best berry bushes to grow. Ensure they get plenty of sun and keep their soil evenly moist; otherwise, the berries will be small and shriveled. As tempting as it is, make sure you don’t allow your strawberry bush to produce fruit the first year. Like raspberries, strawberry bushes need to focus on establishing a healthy root system so that you can enjoy the fruits for years to come. If you do notice flowers, snip them off!
Honeyberry Bushes
Honeyberries, also called Haskap, are neat oblong-shaped berries that taste like a combination of raspberry and blueberry! For that reason alone, honeyberries are one of the best berry bushes to grow. They will need to be cross-pollinated, so keep that in mind when you’re planting. They should be planted in a bright, sunny location and watered thoroughly; however, you can allow the top of the soil to dry out in between watering. Additional care is minimal, but light annual pruning will keep the bush healthy and happy.
These are some of the best berry bushes to grow in Bismarck! To decide which of these beautiful bushes would be best to grow in your garden, visit our Plant Perfect Garden Center. We’d be happy to help you!