Small Fruits

Kiwi Vine

Kiwi
Actinidia arguta 'Issai' & Kolomikta
Self pollinating vine
Zone 3

Kiwi vines are compact fruiting plants- some varities can produce kiwis without requiring a separate male plant. In Edmonton, they can be grown in sheltered, sunny locations, but they need winter protection because they are only moderately cold-hardy. With proper care, including well-drained soil and sturdy support, these vines can produce small, sweet, smooth-skinned kiwi fruits.

Selections include: Issai, Pasha, Setepmeber Sun

Saskatoon

Saskatoon-In Varierty
Amelanchier alnifolia
10' tall 5' wide
Zone: 2

Saskatoon plants are hardy, deciduous shrubs that grow well in Edmonton's climate. They produce beautiful white flowers in spring, followed by sweet, purple-blue berries in early summer. Saskatoon plants are popular for home gardens because they are cold-tolerant, low-maintenance, and attract birds and pollinators while providing nutritious, edible fruit. Selection are improved versions boasting larger fruit.

Selections include: Thiessen, Northline, Martin, Standing Ovation, Honeywood, Regent, Smokey

Chokeberry

Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking', 'Lowscape Mound', 'Autumn Magic'
H: 2' - 4'
W: 2' - 4'
Zone 3

Full to Part Sun. This is a very unique and showy shrub that is very hardy to Alberta. They have dark green, glossy leaves with white flowers in the Spring and edible dark black berries in the fall that are known to have health benefits by Eastern Europeans. The vibrant red and orange fall colour makes it a must for any landscape. It is an easy shrub to keep tidy and is under used in our climate. Tolerates a variety of soil conditions and erosion (great on a hillside or slope). Could be used as an alternative to cotoneaster if you were looking to create a little more diversity in the landscape.

Strawberry

Strawberry
Fragaria 'Seascape' , 'Ft Laramine'

Strawberry plants are hardy, low-growing perennials that thrive in Edmonton’s climate. They produce sweet, juicy berries from late spring through summer when grown in full sun and well-drained soil. Easy to grow in gardens, raised beds, or containers, strawberry plants are a popular choice for home gardeners and return year after year with proper care.

Honeyberry

Honeyberry (Haskap)
Lonicera edulis kam.
Selections: Berry Blue, Blue Belle, Borealis, Cinderella, Tundra

H: 3-4'
W: 3-4'
ZONE 2

Honeyberries (Haskaps) are hardy fruit shrubs that thrive in Edmonton's cold climate. They produce sweet-tart, dark blue berries that ripen early in the season and are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Easy to grow and low maintenance, honeyberries are an excellent choice for Edmonton gardens and are perfect for fresh eating, jams, baking, and smoothies. They perform best when two compatible varieties are planted together for cross-pollination. They originate from Russia and are known for their extreme hardiness.

Sour Cherry

Edible Sour Cherry (Shrub Form)
Prunus cerasus
Selections: Evans, Carmine Jewel, Crimson Passion
H: 8-10'
W: 6-8'
Zone: 3

A Prairie favourite, Evans Cherry is an extremely hardy, self-pollinating sour cherry ideal for Edmonton gardens. Fragrant white spring blossoms are followed by heavy crops of juicy, dark red cherries in August. Excellent for fresh eating, baking, jams and preserves.

Romance Series

Romance Series Cherry (Shrub Form)
Prunus Kerrasis
Selections: Romeo, Juliet, Valentine

H: 6'
W: 4-5'
Zone: 2

The Romance Series cherries were developed in Saskatchewan, Canada, and released in 2003. They are hybrids of northern European sour cherries and Mongolian cherries, bosting more compact growth and heavy production. They are highly productive, ornamental, and produce flavorful dark-red fruit that can be eaten fresh or used in pies, crisps, and preserves.

Nanking Cherry

Nanking Cherry
Prunus tomentosa
6' tall 4' wide

A beautiful fruit bearing shrub that is easy to grow and is self-pollinating. Beautiful pink/white flowers emerge in the spring followed by bright red quarter-sized cherries. Cherries are tart but good for fresh eating, pies, wines or jellies. A beautiful shrub! Also can be used to pollinate certain plums. Prune after fruit is harvested to maintain shape.
ZONE 2

Rhubarb

Rhubarb
Rheum
Selections: Canada Red, Strawberry Red, German Wine

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial plant that thrives in Edmonton’s cool prairie climate. Known for its tart, edible stalks, rhubarb is commonly grown in home gardens and harvested in spring and early summer. It is often used in pies, jams, desserts, and sauces, while the leaves are toxic and should not be eaten. Rhubarb has long been a popular garden staple in Edmonton because it is easy to grow and returns year after year

Black Currant

Black Current
Ribes nigra x

Black currant is a hardy, cold-tolerant shrub that grows well in Edmonton’s climate. It produces clusters of dark purple to black berries in mid to late summer, prized for their rich flavor and high vitamin C content. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil, black currant plants are easy to grow and are ideal for fresh eating, jams, juices, and baking.

Red Currant

Red Currant
Ribes nigra x

Red currant is a hardy, easy-to-grow shrub that thrives in Edmonton’s cool climate. It produces bright red, translucent berries in mid to late summer with a sweet-tart flavor. Growing best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, red currants are excellent for fresh eating, jams, jellies, sauces, and baking, making them a popular choice for home gardens.

Gooseberry

Gooseberry
Ribes hirtellum x

Gooseberry is a hardy, cold-tolerant shrub that grows well in Edmonton’s climate. It produces round green, red, or purple berries in mid to late summer with a sweet-tart flavor. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, gooseberry plants are easy to grow and are ideal for fresh eating, jams, pies, and preserves, making them a great addition to Edmonton gardens.

White Currant

White Pearl Currant
Ribes rubrum 'White Pearl'
White Pearl Currant is a cold-hardy, productive shrub well suited to Edmonton gardens. It bears long clusters of translucent white berries with a mild, sweet flavour that is less tart than red currants, making them excellent for fresh eating, desserts, jams, and jellies. Growing 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft.) tall and wide, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and produces reliable harvests in mid to late summer.

Raspberry

Rasberry
Rubus
Selections: Boyne, Red Bounty, Red Mammoth, Red River

Raspberry plants are hardy, productive perennials that thrive in Edmonton’s climate. They produce sweet, flavorful berries in summer or early fall, depending on the variety. Growing best in full sun and well-drained soil, raspberries are easy to maintain and are ideal for fresh eating, baking, jams, and freezing. With proper care, they provide abundant harvests year after year.

Blueberry

Blueberry
Vaccinium
Selections: Chippewa, Northblue, Northcountry, Northland, Northsky, Polaris

Blueberry plants can be grown in Edmonton with the right soil conditions. They thrive in full sun and acidic, well-drained soil, producing sweet, nutritious berries in mid to late summer. With proper care, including regular watering and soil amendments to maintain acidity, blueberry plants make an attractive and rewarding addition to home gardens.

Grape Vine

Grape
Vitis x
Selections: Valiant, Frontenac, La Crescent, Marquette, Brianna

Cold-hardy grape vines can thrive in Edmonton when planted in a sunny, sheltered location. They produce clusters of sweet, flavorful grapes in late summer to early fall and are well suited for fresh eating, juice, and jelly. With well-drained soil, sturdy support, and proper pruning, grape vines are a productive and attractive addition to Edmonton gardens.