On Gardening: Berry Box perfect Christmas plant for porch

Norman Winter, Tribune News Service on Dec 12, 2024

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A few years ago, I wrote a column on the keys to the winter landscape being Bones, Berries and Bark. The bones of course are evergreen plants, berries are like nature’s winter baubles, and bark is typically associated with trees that create a "look at me" moment by virtue of their wood. So, when I had the opportunity to try some Berry Box shrubs I jumped at the opportunity.

Your first thought upon seeing that the Berry Box is a Pyracomeles is probably similar to mine: What in the world is that? Well, it is simply a cross between the Pyracantha and the Osteomeles. Sure, that is what I thought -- NOT! What is an Osteomeles? Well, it is a sprawling shrub of which one species is native to Hawaii.

Since we associate beautiful red berries with Christmas, I was already dreaming of my opportunities with the Berry Box. I am in my second year and I'm singing "It Is Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." I have two white self-watering AquaPots on either side of the entry. Each one has Berry Box Pyracomeles, Superbells Pomegranate Punch calibrachoa and Lemon Coral Sedum.

The potential for the Berry Box is 42 inches tall and wide and the info comes with a warning about pruning as it can interfere with blooming and berry production. I have done well with little snips here and there managing my look. Proven Winners says it does have a quirky growth habit, which is another way of saying it does what it wants, but that seems to be within reason.

I am also trying some in beds, but they are not as far along age-wise as those in containers. I have these planted around a golden needle Western arborvitae called Fluffy. Fluffy is, botanically speaking, a variety of Thuja plicata. The mature look should be awesome.

Berry Box really fills a need and that is a prolific berry producer that is small and perfect for a container on the porch, patio or deck. It is recommended for zones 7a- 9b, evergreen and prefers part to full sun. In my AquaPots, good lightweight potting soil coupled with the self-watering concept controlling moisture seems just perfect.

No one has mentioned birds eating berries, but it is common with both parents of the Pyracomeles. I have a lot of birds in the landscape and the berries disappeared last year, but I failed to see who got the meal. While we treasure the red berries, the spring season with coverage of white blooms is an added treat.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)