Berry Nice! Guide to Juicy Edibles (Part 2)

by Brett Kerley

Welcome to Part Two of our berry-growing guide for Edmonton! In Part One, we explored popular and classic berries like strawberries, raspberries, and Saskatoons. Now it’s time to branch out into the less conventional—but just as exciting—berries that can thrive in our northern gardens.

From antioxidant-packed aronia and nitrogen-fixing buffaloberries and even the tart lingonberries, this section is all about the uncommon, the wild, and the surprisingly growable.

Let’s dive back in—starting with one of the most strange smelling berries of all…

Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is not a true cranberry, but an edible native fruit-bearing shrub with bright red berries. Zone 2-3.

Growing Tips:

• Tolerates wet conditions and partial shade.
• Prune for shape and remove old stems every few years.

Fun Fact: Highbush cranberries’ raw scent is… distinctively stinky (think sweaty socks), but once cooked with sugar and spices, they turn into a delicious, tangy jelly, beloved on prairie tables.

The elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, Sambucus nigra) produces clusters of small, dark purple berries used in syrups, jellies, and wine. Zone 3

Best Varieties:

• ‘York’, ‘Nova’, ‘Johns’
  

Growing Tips:

• Needs two varieties for pollination.
• Prefers moist, well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
• Prune heavily in late winter to encourage new growth.

Fun Fact: Elderberries have been used for centuries in traditional medicine—especially in cold and flu remedies—and science is catching up! Studies show elderberry syrup may help reduce the length and severity of colds. Just remember: they must be cooked first, because raw ones can give you a berry bad tummy ache!

Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) shrubs are extremely hardy and produce small, dark berries with very high antioxidant content. Zone 3

Growing Tips:

• Full sun for best fruiting.
• Low maintenance and adaptable to many soils.
• Use for juice blends, wine, or dried like raisins.

Fun Fact: Aronia berries pack such a punch of antioxidants that they often top the charts with one of the highest ORAC scores (a measure of antioxidant capacity) of any fruit—beating out blueberries, acai, and even pomegranates. Talk about a superberry in disguise!

Buffaloberry

Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is a nitrogen-fixing native shrub with small, tart berries used in traditional foods. Zone 2-3.

Growing Tips:

• Drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soils.
• Needs male and female plants to produce fruit.

Fun Fact: Buffaloberries naturally contain saponins, which create a foamy texture when the berries are whipped. This is why they were traditionally used to make “Indian ice cream,” a frothy dessert enjoyed by Indigenous peoples on the Prairies. Despite their tartness, that foamy pink treat was a real crowd-pleaser!

Nanking Cherries (Prunus tomentosa) are hardy, ornamental shrubs with bright red cherries. They’re excellent for hedgerows. Zone 2-3.

Growing Tips:

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
• Self-pollinating but gives better yields with multiple plants.

Fun Fact: Despite the name, these aren’t true cherries—though they taste like them! Nanking cherries are so cold-hardy and fast-growing that early prairie settlers often used them as living fences—and got a tasty bonus of bright red, tart cherries every summer. Talk about fruitful landscaping!

Sand cherry in flower

Sand cherry (Prunus besseyi) is a low-growing, drought-tolerant native shrub that produces small, dark cherries. Zone 2-3.

Growing Tips:

• Needs full sun and sandy or loamy soil.
• Great for xeriscaping.

Fun Fact: Sand cherries are so tough, they thrive in sandy, dry, even neglected soils—earning them a reputation as the “desert rose” of the prairie garden. Plus, their fragrant blossoms and deep purple foliage make them edible and ornamental!

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is a low-growing evergreen groundcover producing tart red berries, similar to cranberries. Zone 2-3.

Growing Tips:

• Requires acidic soil like blueberries.
• Mulch with pine needles or bark.
• Ideal for edging beds or raised containers.

Fun Fact: Lingonberries are like the cool, tart cousin of cranberries—and they’re so beloved in Scandinavia that they’re served with everything from meatballs to pancakes. In fact, in Sweden, it’s almost illegal (socially speaking) to eat a meal without a side of lingonberry jam!

Goji berries

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum), also known as wolfberry, is a nutrient-packed fruit cherished for its bright red color and health benefits. Although it originates from Asia, some cold-hardy varieties thrive in Edmonton’s climate. Zone 3 (depending on variety).

Best Varieties:

• ‘Wolfberry’ – Reliable production and proven hardiness
• ‘Polaris’ – Bred for colder northern climates, with prolific fruiting
• ‘Crimson Star’ – Compact shrub habit and high yields

Growing Tips:

• Plant in full sun with well-drained soil; they tolerate sandy or loamy soils.
• Water regularly during establishment, but once established, goji bushes are moderately drought-tolerant.
• Provide a sturdy trellis or support “teepee” structure, as canes can become leggy when fruiting.
• Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base in late fall to protect roots from extreme freeze–thaw cycles.
• Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and encourage new growth; you can tip-prune young shoots in summer to promote branching.

Fun Fact: Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years and are sometimes called “happy berries” due to their little uplifting bursts of sweetness!

Even in Edmonton’s cold climate, you can grow a rich variety of delicious, healthy, and beautiful berries. Whether you’re planting native species like Saskatoons and chokecherries, or experimenting with haskaps and lingonberries, there’s a berry for every garden. With proper care, many of these plants will feed your family and the birds for decades.

Until next time… stay berry curious! Happy gardening.