When planning the purchase of plants for your home orchard, it is also worth paying attention tolittle known fruit plants , which give birth to tasty, nutrient-rich fruits, suitable both for direct consumption and for preserves. The vast majority of theseinteresting fruit trees and shrubsalso have numerous ornamental values, many of them are undemanding and highly frost-resistant. Here's how to create an extraordinary orchard, full of valuable, unusual fruits.
Quince, although much less known, is closely related to the pear tree. Its fruits are perfect for preserves
In nurseries you can find a growing selectioninteresting fruit trees and shrubs , set aside by large-area gardeners, which will certainly diversify the diet of the household, becoming also a source of vitamins valuable for he alth . Here are the most interestinglittle-known fruit plantsworth getting interested in!
Common quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a large shrub or a short tree closely related to apple and pear trees grown in the garden. Despite this relationship, quinces are nowfruit plants little known , although they used to be much more popular in the past. Since quince can freeze during very harsh winters, it is worth planting in quiet places in the garden where it will not be threatened by gusts of cold winds. Plants have shallow roots, so they grow best in fertile, moist, well-kept soils. Mulching the soil surface within the crown with organic matter, which decomposes, provides the roots with nutrients, while limiting the development of weeds and excessive drying of the soil, has a very beneficial effect on plants.
Fruiting of the quincebegins as early as the second year after planting, but large yields usually appear only in the fourth year of cultivation, when the tree has firmly rooted. Large yellow pear-shaped fruits usually ripen in the first decade of October. Their flesh is very aromatic but extremely hard and therefore unsuitable for direct consumption. Instead, you can prepare delicious quince preserves - tasty marmalades, preserves and liqueurs.
Dogwood(Cornus mas) is a small tree or shrub that grows over a large area of Europe. Due to its very hard wood, it was formerly used in craftsmanship. Edible dogwoods are highly resistant to temperature drops and attacks by pests and pathogenic organisms. Theseinteresting fruit bushesdo not have high requirements for the substrate, but like most fruit plants, they yield best on fertile, sufficiently moist soils with a high proportion of humus.They start fruiting quite late, only from the fourth year after planting, but then they regularly provide abundant harvests. The attractive red fruits usually ripen in September. They have a pleasant characteristic aroma and a sour taste and are most often processed into jams and jellies. The fruit can also be candied and used later in cakes. Dogwood fruit is also an excellent ingredient for the production of tinctures.
Arachnid(Lonicera edulis) commonly known as the Kamchatka berry, due to the appearance and taste of its fruit, is a close relative of honeysuckle grown in gardens. The bushes grow up to a height of about 1 meter. Theselittle-knownfruit plants have low soil requirements, but they yield best in fertile, moist soils in full sun. Under growing conditions, edible dry trees are not attacked by pests and diseases and are very resistant to large temperature drops in winter. Fruiting begins in the next season after planting the plants, but you can count on abundant harvest only from the third year of cultivation.Fruits resembling elongated blueberries ripen in the last decade of May. They are suitable for direct consumption as well as for preserves and freezing.
Sea buckthorn(Hippohae rhammnoides) is a large shrub or small tree with very thorny stems covered with narrow silvery leaves. This species is suitable for the development of the weakest soils, due to the low requirements in terms of moisture and soil fertility. It also tolerates soil salinity well. Since sea buckthorn is dioecious, i.e. male and female flowers develop on two different plants, in order to get fruit, individuals of the opposite sex must be planted next to each other. Harvesting begins in the second and most often in the third year after planting and is very abundant. The twigs are literally covered with orange fruit, which provide large amounts of many minerals and vitamins valuable for he alth. The fruit is usually used for the production of juice and the preparation of spirits.Due to the shoots densely covered with sharp thorns, the best way to obtain fruit is to cut off whole branches and shake them off on sheets of cloth spread on the ground. We carry out such a collection just after the arrival of more severe frosts.
Chinese lemon (Schisandra chinensis)
As the name suggests, it comes from the east. It is a climber with hanging shoots, growing up to 10 m. Therefore,little-known fruit plantsshould be grown on garden arbors or pergolas, it also works well as a hedge. Some of the shoots are strewn on the ground and these usually do not bear fruit. Lemon is resistant to low temperatures. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. Cream-colored flowers appear at the beginning of June, while the fruit - from September to October. The fruits have a beautiful, intense red color and are gathered in clusters resembling hanging clusters of currants.
Lemon is a medicinal plant valued in China.The fruit has a huge amount of vit. C (500-600m / 100g), they also contain a lot of vitamin. E, B, citric and malic acids and trace elements. They have a low sugar content, but they have a very valuable ingredient - schizandrin. It strengthens the nervous system. Schisandra preparations and preserves are therefore recommended for depressions, weaknesses of the body and to strengthen the immune system. It also has detoxifying properties for the body. The fruit is not suitable for eating raw, but you can use it to prepare pasteurized purees and juices, as well as dried fruit, which is used to make tea or added to tea instead of lemon. In addition to fruit, dried leaves are also used for this purpose. Such wide application and he alth properties make citrus fruit veryinteresting fruit shrubs
The fruiting of the Chinese lemon treebegins quite late, about 4 years after planting. However, for this to happen at all, an important condition must be met.Schisandra is a dioecious plant, so in order to pollinate female flowers, close proximity to the male specimen is necessary. However, nowadays, in cultivation, single-stem varieties are often found, on which both female and male flowers are born, which will surely please those who lack space for two plants. If you want to propagate lemongrass on your own, keep in mind that the seeds need to be stratified over a period of several weeks.
Schisandra can be grown in fertile, humus and necessarily moist soils, as this plant does not tolerate overdrying. You can additionally protect the soil against evaporation by mulching it. Chinese Schisandra likes sunny or semi-shaded positions, sheltered from the winds.
Mulberry (Morus)
Mulberries are large shrubs or small deciduous trees, growing up to about 10 m in height. More than a dozen species of mulberry have been distinguished, living mainly in Asia, as well as in Africa and North America.
The fruits of white mulberry (Morus alba), black mulberry (Morus nigra), and red mulberry (Morus rubra) are suitable for consumption.The fruits of the former are bland and not very tasty, the other two are much tastier (sweet and sour). Unfortunately, black and red mulberries arelittle known fruit plants , while white mulberries have gained a bit more popularity as a source of leaves for brewing slimming tea. Contains vit. A, E, C, B1 and B2 as well as flavonoids and tannins. It helps diabetics lower blood sugar levels. Also used for colds, it helps to lose weight.
Mulberry blooms in May and June, the fruits ripen from June to July. The fruit resembles blackberries and can be eaten raw. They are also suitable for purees, juices, jams and tinctures.
The leaves are interestingly cut and turn yellow in autumn. Fallen in autumn are a very good fertilizer, because they contain potassium and nitrogen. Tea is prepared from the dried leaves.
Mulberries perfectly tolerate pruning and shaping, which makes them perfect for hedges. Although they do not bear fruit in this way, the less tasty white mulberry is best suited for a hedge anyway. Mulberry hedgesneed to be trimmed every year, even twice a season. Plants cut for hedges are bushy and resistant to air pollution.
If you grow mulberry for fruit, think about black or red mulberries, but bear in mind their sensitivity to low temperatures.
Mulberries are best. they grow in neutral or alkaline soils, but there may also be weaker and even sandy soils. These plants hate flooding. They like sunny positions. Due to the sensitivity to frost, they do better in warmer regions of Poland.Mulberries should be propagated from seeds, because plants obtained from seedlings are usually he althier. In practice, however, they are most often propagated from woody cuttings, which easily root.
Świdośliwa (Amelanchier)
The Canadian hornbeam (Amelanchier canadensis) and the Canadian hornbeam (Amelanchier ovalis) are the two most common species in Poland. Theselittle known fruit plantsare small trees, sometimes taking a shrub form, growing up to approx.2-3 m. Can be formed by cutting. Decorative are not only pink-purple fruit and white flowers gathered in clusters, but also leaves, which in autumn turn beautifully into various shades of red. It blooms in early spring, while the fruit appears in summer. They are only slightly larger than blueberries and look more like blueberries than plums. Lumpy berries begin fruiting in the 2-3rd year after planting. The plant is long-lived and can bear fruit for up to 30 years.
Swine beetle is completely frost-resistant and basically has no special soil requirements. The only thing he dislikes is too heavy or too dry soil. Prefers sunny and exposed positions. Good air circulation helps protect against diseases.
Although the fruits of the Jerusalem artichoke are similar to the American blueberry, they are much more valuable than blueberry. They mainly contain: B vitamins, vit. C, antioxidants, fiber, calcium, iron, potassium (the content of which is very high) and microelements such as cob alt and copper.They also have significant amounts of anthocyanins. Thanks to them, they are recommended in the prevention of neoplastic diseases. Lychee also supports the functioning of the circulatory system and the entire human body.Fruits are perfect to eat raw. We can also prepare juices, jams, preserves and tinctures.
Wild Rose (Rosa canina)
It is the most famous of the plants presented here, but much underrated. The decorative qualities of the shrub are pale pink or white flowers, lush green leaves and beautiful red fruits. It blooms in spring - from May to June, and bears fruit in autumn - from September to October. It is very resistant to low temperatures. The shrub grows up to 2 m, and the stems are densely covered with fine spines.
Wild rose has no special requirements, although it grows best in fertile and humus soils. He also likes sunny positions. It hates flooding and wet ground. As a solid, it likes to expand, so it needs some space then.
The he alth values of wild rose for humans are scientifically proven and comprehensive. First of all, the fruit has a huge amount of vitamin. C (1000 mg / 100g of fruit). However, since freezing may destroy it, harvesting should take place before frost. Thanks to such a high content of this vitamin, 2-3 fruits are enough to cover the daily needs of a human being. Therefore, they are perfect for people who are weak and prone to colds. The fruit also contains significant amounts of antioxidants such as carotenoids, flavonoids and xanthophylls. They are diuretic. They support the functioning of the digestive and bloodstream. There is also a substance in the fruit called galactolipid that works to relieve pain and inflammation. The latest research suggests that the rosehip powder formulation has a much more intense effect on the joints than the commonly used glucosamine. In addition to the substances mentioned, fruits also contain organic acids, sugars, pectins, bioflavonoids, vit.P, K, E, A and several from group B, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and many other valuable ingredients.
Oil is obtained from the seeds, and flower petals are used in cosmetics and for the preparation of preserves. There is a lot more to write about the usability of theseinteresting fruit bushes , so it is worth paying more attention to it and finding a place for it in your own garden.Once it is planted, z fruit, we will be able to prepare delicious preserves, jams, plum jam, jellies and syrups. They are also perfect for a variety of liqueurs and wines.
Large fruited cranberry (Oxycoccus macrocarpus)
"It is a tiny dwarf of great value. Its long vegetative shoots litter the ground. Their task is to nourish the plant. From them, 10-15 cm high shoots grow, giving valuable fruit. Shoots have one more useful feature. Well, after contact with a moist substrate, they quickly release their roots. This feature allows the plant to reproduce easily.
In summer, cranberries form buds to be able to bloom the following year. Flowering occurs in spring around June, and red berries appear in the fall. Then the leaves turn dark, maroon-brown in color and stay on the plant throughout the winter.
Cranberries require acidic and humus soil. It does not tolerate overdrying, so it is worth mulching the surrounding ground with peat or bark, which will reduce the evaporation of water from the soil. This plant likes sunny and bright places. It is resistant to low temperatures and most diseases.Fruits contain a lot of vit. C and oxidative substances. Moreover, they are rich in vit. from group B, antioxidants, a number of micronutrients, including calcium and potassium (a significant amount), tannins, tannins and many other valuable substances. Perfect for problems with the urinary and digestive system. They help regulate the level of good cholesterol and support the circulatory system. They have detoxifying properties for the body. The fruit can be used to make preserves (an excellent addition to meats), jams, juices and tinctures.They are unlikely to be eaten raw. "
