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Pixwell Gooseberry

Ribes hirtellium -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Large Pink berries, fewer thorns, very vigorous, disease resistant, self fertile

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Thorny bushes naturally deter deer; the refreshing, sweet-tart, crispy berries are definitely worth dealing with thorns!   These are the most productive berries in our gardens per square-foot of space and time invested in managing them.   We only offer varieties that are very sweet when ripe and have not shown powdery-mildew on their foliage.   Bushes are thorny and reach 5’x5’ if left unpruned.   Pruning can easily keep them 3’x3’. Self fertile. 

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Red Currant

(Ribes rubrum) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  tart red pea sized berries, height to 4′, self fertile

Unknown variety, given to us by a friend, probably ‘Red Lake’ or ‘Cherry Red’.   We have found red currants to be slightly less vigorous than black currants or jostaberries.   They seem to have a little more trouble coping with the hot summer temperatures in our area, a good reason to give them some afternoon shade.   They are pretty little plants when the red berries are ripe, like strings of ruby pearls cascading down from everywhere on the plant.   Berries are very tart, with a mild fruity flavor and nearly no sweetness—great for edible garnishes, baked goods and jellies.   Plants are much shorter (3’ tall) than black currants.   Can take some shade.   Space 2’-3’ apart in row. Self fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Jostaberry

 -Full Sun to Part Shade–  eddible ornamental, self fertile

A complex cross between gooseberry and European black currant.  The resulting tetraploid (simply has two sets of genes—don’t worry, this is not GMO) plant is incredibly vigorous growing and taller (to 7’) than either of its parents.   I consider Jostaberry as one of the best edible landscape plants — has fragrant cream/maroon flowers all over in spring and leaves stay glossy and green all summer.  Best of all, it is thornless!  Berries about the size of a marble, sweet/tart like a ripe gooseberry with a hint of blackcurrant flavor.   Can take more shade than gooseberries.   Space 3’-5’ apart in row. Self fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Candysweet Gooseberry

(Ribes uva-crispa) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Smaller, very Sweet-Tart berries, self fertile

We got the parent plant from a friend who called it ‘Catherine,’ but the fruit doesn’t match up to that variety’s description.  We are very impressed with it’s flavor–we decided to call it ‘Candysweet’.  It is a prolific bearer of dime-sized, super sweet reddish round fruits.  Showing similar drought-hardiness and adaptability as Pink Round.  Self fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Black Currant

(Ribes nigrum) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Aromatic, flavorful, height to 5′, self fertile

Unknown variety, given to us by a friend.   Black currants are taller than red currants (to 5’) and produce deep purple-black fruits in clusters.  The berries have a very strong flavor; heavy and musky with a slight astringency.  Not as sweet as other Ribes, but are great for flavoring drinks and making jelly.  Full of antioxidants and minerals.   Can take more shade than gooseberries.   Very adaptable plants–have withstood many droughts without any watering and don’t even blink at soggy conditions.  Space 3’-5’ apart in row. Self fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Aurora Northern Highbush Blueberry

(Vaccinium corymbosum) -Full to Part Sun–  Very late season. plant two different varieties for pollination

very late season

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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St. Cloud Northern Half-High Blueberry

(Vaccinium corymbosum) -Full to Part Sun–  Early season. plant two different varieties for pollination

early season.  One of the earliest varieties.  Med-large fruit with good flavor and high yields.  Needs another variety as a pollinator.  4′ tall.  Zones 3-7

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Blueberries can be a challenge in our region’s heavy clay soils, though these soils are generally on the acidic side which blueberries need.  They will thrive with good site preparation and continued mulching; naturally acidic pine bark or pine needles are best, but hardwood chips/bark and sawdust will do.  Ideally, plant in slightly raised beds and amend the soil with generous peat moss, pine bark and alfalfa meal (or other nitrogen source); finishing with a good thick layer of pine bark mulch or pine needles.  Apart from their pickiness regarding soil conditions, blueberries are one of the best choices for practical edible landscaping; once established, they are a beautiful low maintenance bush with good fall color.  You may be fighting the birds for them, but if you plant them in front of a window you can at least think of them as a pretty bird feeder 🙂  Bird netting is an effective deterrent but you may still have chipmunks steal your fruit by scooting under the nets.  Our blueberries need at least 2 varieties for pollination.

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Polaris Northern Half-high Blueberry

 -Full to Part Sun–  Early-mid season. 3′ tall, suitable for containers, plant two different varieties for pollination

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Phillips Highbush Cranberry

(Viburnum opulus var. americanum) -Full Sun to part shade–  Ornamental native edible berry, also known as Cramp Bark. Self-fertile

An edible native Viburnum, also known as Cramp Bark for it’s muscle-relaxing medicinal properties.  Very pretty ornamental bush producing prolific umbels of white flowers, followed by showy clusters of edible but very tart, red berries.  Fast growing, 8-10′ tall, has nice fall color and interesting winter form.  ‘Phillips’ variety was selected by Elwyn Meader for better flavor and nice berry color.  Prefers a moist spot, but is adaptable.  Full Sun to Part Shade.  Self-fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Seedling from ‘Nero’ Aronia (black chokeberry)

(Aronia melanocarpa) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Blueberry-sized fruit born in clusters, high antioxidants. Self-fertile, but may produce better with pollinator. 6′ tall x 5-6′ wide

Parent plant ‘Nero’ gets just 4′ high.  Ours is a little taller, but still only 5-6′.  Good fruit production.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Medium-sized, attractive, native shrub with 3 season interest.  It is also a practical and prolific berry producer.  Aronias have gained fame recently as a super fruit due to their very high levels of antioxidants.  They are flavorful but astringent and not very sweet, so not super great to eat out of hand (although our picky toddlers loved them!).  However, they make a tasty addition to smoothies, jam, baked goods, etc.  The bushes are very productive and the blueberry-sized berries form in easy-to-pick clusters.  We have had some success harvesting with a blueberry rake, but prefer to just snip clusters; removing stems afterwards at the kitchen counter.  Berries are firm, so no worries about squishing as you pick, and they hold on the bush for a long time, so you can wait for the whole bush to ripen and pick all at once.  They are also not as plagued by birds as other berries, and are pest and disease free.  One of our favorites for edible landscaping.  Partial shade to full sun.  Self-fertile but may do better with a pollinator.  Zones 3-8. 

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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McKenzie Aronia (black chokeberry)

(Aronia melanocarpa) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Blueberry-sized fruit born in clusters, high antioxidants. Self-fertile, but may produce better with pollinator. 8′ tall x 5′ wide

A seedling selection with improved vigor, large flower clusters, and good production.  

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Medium-sized, attractive, native shrub with 3 season interest.  It is also a practical and prolific berry producer.  Aronias have gained fame recently as a super fruit due to their very high levels of antioxidants.  They are flavorful but astringent and not very sweet, so not super great to eat out of hand (although our picky toddlers loved them last summer).  However, they make a tasty addition to smoothies, jam, baked goods, etc.  The bushes are very productive and the blueberry-sized berries form in easy-to-pick clusters.  We have had some success harvesting with a blueberry rake, but prefer to just snip clusters; removing stems afterwards at the kitchen counter.  Berries are firm, so no worries about squishing as you pick, and they hold on the bush for a long time, so you can wait for the whole bush to ripen and pick all at once.  They are also not as plagued by birds as other berries, and are pest and disease free.  One of our favorites for edible landscaping.  Partial shade to full sun.  Self-fertile but may do better with a pollinator.  Zones 3-8. 

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Wyldewood American Elderberry

(Sambucus canadensis) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  High Yielding, larger improved fruit quality, wet-loving, plant two varieties for pollination

Newer improved variety.  High Yields and superior fruit quality.  Elderberries are nutritional and medicinal powerhouses, having both antibacterial and antiviral properties, immune boosting properties, and loads of vitamin C.  Needs another American Elderberry for pollination, such as ‘Bob Gordon.’  Prefers full sun but can take some shade.  Flexible on soil requirements but thrives in moist, fertile soils.  Height and width about 8′.

Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Bob Gordon American Elderberry

(Sambucus canadensis) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  High Yielding, larger improved fruit quality, wet-loving, plant two varieties for pollination

Newer improved variety, very similar to ‘Wyldewood.’  High Yields and superior fruit quality.  Elderberries are nutritional and medicinal powerhouses, having both antibacterial and antiviral properties, immune boosting properties, and loads of vitamin C.  Needs another American Elderberry for pollination, such as ‘Wyldewood.’  Prefers full sun but can take some shade.  Flexible on soil requirements but thrives in moist, fertile soils.  Height and width about 8′.

Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

North American native plant,   

Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Nancy Mae Black Currant

(Ribes nigrum) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Aromatic, flavorful, height to 5′, self fertile

Improved variety.  Black currants are taller than red currants (to 5’) and produce deep purple-black fruits in clusters.  The berries have a very strong flavor; heavy and musky with a slight astringency.  Not as sweet as other Ribes, but are great for flavoring drinks and making jelly.  Full of antioxidants and minerals.   Can take more shade than gooseberries.   Very adaptable plants–have withstood many droughts without any watering and don’t even blink at soggy conditions.  Space 3’-5’ apart in row. Self fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.

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Lewis R Black Currant

(Ribes nigrum) -Full Sun to Part Shade–  Aromatic, flavorful, height to 5′, self fertile

Improved variety. Black currants are taller than red currants (to 5’) and produce deep purple-black fruits in clusters.  The berries have a very strong flavor; heavy and musky with a slight astringency.  Not as sweet as other Ribes, but are great for flavoring drinks and making jelly.  Full of antioxidants and minerals.   Can take more shade than gooseberries.   Very adaptable plants–have withstood many droughts without any watering and don’t even blink at soggy conditions.  Space 3’-5’ apart in row. Self fertile.

3″ pots $4, Quart pots $8, Gallon* pots $16

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Availability of plants varies from day to day.  We rarely carry every size/price option listed at any one time.  Please call before you come to check availability.