Berries are not only delicious but terrific sources of nutrition and antioxidants. They also may take up significant space, which can be a problem for an urban gardener or those with smaller space. Today, though, newer cultivars have been developed into miniature fruit bushes. These mini fruiting bushes are perfect for container gardening, and yet the fruit they produce is full-sized.
Keep reading to learn about growing small, fruit-bearing shrubs and dwarf fruit bush care.
About Small Fruit Bearing Shrubs
The newer miniature fruit bushes are available not only as blueberries but – surprise – as blackberries and raspberries as well. Another great thing about blackberry or raspberry mini fruiting bushes is that they have an actual bush habit that is thornless! No more scratched arms and hands. And because they have a mounding habit, these mini fruiting bushes are perfect for patios or other small spaces grown as potted plants.
Many blueberries get quite large and often need a pollinating companion. The semi-dwarf blueberries available today only get to about 4 feet (1 m.) tall and are self-pollinating.
Popular Varieties of Mini Fruiting Bushes
BrazelBerries ‘Raspberry Shortcake’ grows to just 2-3 feet (under a meter) in height with a mounding habit. The plant requires no trellising or staking and again... it’s thornless!
Bushel and Berry has both small, fruit-bearing raspberries and blackberries. Again, they have a mounded habit that needs no staking.
Small bush blueberries are available as either dwarf or semi-dwarf and northern highbush and half highs. Semi-dwarves reach a height of about 4 feet (1 m.) while dwarf cultivars grow to about 18-24 inches (45.5-61 cm.) high.
Dwarf Fruit Bush Care
All blueberries like an acidic soil with a pH between 4-5.5. They also require moist, well-draining soil and a sunny location. Mulch around the plant to keep the roots cool and retain moisture.
When the first-year flowers appear, pinch them off to allow the plant to establish. Remove the blooms for the first two years and then allow the plant to flower and produce. Fertilize one month after planting.
Small raspberry and blackberries should be grown in full sun in soil that is well-draining. Fertilize in the early spring and then again in midsummer with a water-soluble food such as an 18-18-18 fertilizer.
Allow the berries to go dormant in the winter and in colder climates (zone 5 and below), store them in a sheltered area like a shed or garage after they lose their leaves. Keep the soil slightly moist throughout the winter by watering once every 6 weeks. When temperatures have warmed in the spring, bring the berries back outside.
In the spring new green shoots will begin to sprout from the soil and off of the old canes. Those from the ground will fruit the next year while the old canes with new growth will be the fruiting canes this year. Leave both of these alone but cut any old, dead canes without new growth to ground level.
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