16 Berry-Worthy Plants for Fall and Winter Interest

Beautyberry

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' – Round clusters of amethyst to purple berries remain on bare stems after willow-like leaves drop. Deciduous shrub, 6+ ft tall and wide. Full sun or light shade. Zones 3–9, 14–24.

Cotoneaster

Of 70+ species, these four have exceptionally showy berries:

• C. dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster) – Bright red fruits among dark evergreen leaves. Ground cover, 6–12 inches tall, spreads 10 ft. Full sun or partial shade. Zones 2–24.
• C. divaricatus – Bright red, egg-shaped fruits on deciduous shrub with orange-red fall foliage. Berries last until birds eat them. 6 ft tall and wide. Full sun. Zones 1–24.
• C. horizontalis – Red fruits persist after leaves turn orange then red. Stiff horizontal branches in herringbone pattern. 2–3 ft tall, up to 15 ft wide. Full sun. Zones 2b–11, 14–24, A3.
• C. lacteus – Clusters of red fruits last long among dark green leaves of this evergreen shrub. Full sun. Zones 4–24.

Harlequin Glorybower

Clerodendrum trichotomum – Shiny blue or turquoise berries framed by scarlet calyxes form in late summer and persist after leaf drop. Deciduous shrub, 10–15 ft tall and wide. Partial shade. Zones 15–17, 20–24; can grow in zones 5–6 but may freeze to ground.

Hawthorn

Crataegus – Two standout deciduous trees. Full sun.

• Carriere Hawthorn (C. x lavallei) – Orange-red fruits size of small crabapples hang from autumn through winter. Dark green leaves turn bronzy red after deep frost, may stay all winter. 25 ft tall, 15–20 ft wide. Zones 3–12, 14–21.
• Green Hawthorn (C. viridis 'Winter King') – Masses of red berries on naked branches after yellowish leaves drop. 25–30 ft tall and wide. Zones 2–12, 14–17.

Himalayan Honeysuckle

Leycesteria formosa – Berries start green, turn red, then deep purplish-black. Deciduous shrub, 6 ft tall and wide. Full sun or light shade. Zones 4–6, 14–17, 20–24.

Oregon Grape

Mahonia aquifolium – Native along Pacific Coast. Evergreen shrub with deep blue fruits among shiny holly-like leaves. Species 6 ft tall, 5 ft wide; 'Compacta' 2–3 ft tall, spreads 5+ ft. Tolerates any exposure, prefers shade in hottest climates. Zones 2–12, 14–24.

Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Clusters of red, orange, or yellow pea-sized berries. Glossy evergreen foliage (semi-evergreen in cold winters). 3–15 ft tall, 4–10 ft wide. Full sun. Zones 3–24.

Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo – Puffy olive-sized fruits turn from yellow to red. Borne simultaneously with urn-shaped flowers among dark evergreen leaves. Species 8–35 ft tall and wide; compact varieties 5–8 ft. Full sun or partial shade (essential in deserts). Zones 4–24.

Toyon or California Holly

Heteromeles arbutifolia – Clusters of bright red pea-sized fruits among glossy dark green leaves. Evergreen shrub 6–10 ft tall and wide, or pruned as single-trunk tree 15–25 ft. Full sun or partial shade. Zones 5–19, 14–24.

Viburnum

Top three performers:

• V. davidii – Metallic blue fruits among glossy dark green leaves. Evergreen, 3–4 ft tall and wide. Partial shade. Zones 4–9, 14–24.
• V. opulus – Upright clusters of fleshy red fruits from autumn into winter. Deciduous, 8–15 ft tall and wide. Full sun or partial shade. Zones 1–9, 14–24, A2–A3.
• V. rhytidophyllum (Leatherleaf Viburnum) – Fruits turn from scarlet to black. Long, deep green leaves with wrinkled tops and fuzzy undersides. Evergreen, 8–15 ft tall, 6–12 ft wide. Tolerates deep shade. Zones 3–9, 14–24.