Fruit That Will Beautify Your Garden

Exotic Fruit Plants for Your Garden

In the past, gardens only grew traditional types of fruit - apples, pears, cherries, plums... Today, people enjoy experimenting and trying to grow plants that weren't commonly found here. Therefore, we're increasingly encountering various shrubs or trees in gardens that we had no idea about before. Most plants gain their popularity due to their interesting appearance and also for their healing properties. Many shrubs and trees, only recently discovered by modern society, are called plants of the future because they contain substances that can treat many diseases. However, in the original homeland of these plants, this has been known for a long time... Discover the charm and health contained in sea buckthorn, goji berry, mini kiwi, and pepino gold.

Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn (lat. Hippophae rhamnoides) is a shrub from the oleaster family (lat. Elaeagnaceae). Sea buckthorn originates from the Caucasus and Central Asia. In the inhospitable conditions of Siberia, sea buckthorn is one of the few plants containing large amounts of vitamin C. That's why locals call it the "Siberian miracle". Sea buckthorn also contains many other vitamins and minerals, which are present in the fruit in a balanced ratio, which is the reason for its extraordinary healing effects. However, sea buckthorn didn't have beneficial effects only on people - even horses that grazed in areas where sea buckthorn grew had noticeably shinier coats than other horses. This is where the Latin name of sea buckthorn comes from - Hippophae means shining horse in Greek translation.

Sea buckthorn is a thorny, deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6 meters tall. It will decorate your garden not only with its leaves, which are covered with silver scales on both sides, but also with distinctive orange-red fruits. To get fruits, you must always plant both male and female plants in a ratio of approximately 1:6 in favor of female plants. Sea buckthorn is a dioecious plant.

Growing Sea Buckthorn

Since sea buckthorn comes from inhospitable Siberia, it's very hardy and therefore undemanding to grow. It thrives best in a sunny location in light, sandy, and well-drained soil rich in calcium. Sea buckthorn will also grow in wetter locations, but in excessively moist soil it may freeze in winter. Sea buckthorn is suitable for planting in infertile and devastated soils, and you can also use it to stabilize riverbanks. Sea buckthorn doesn't require much watering - only water it during prolonged drought. Fertilization is also not necessary because nutrient supply is provided by nodule bacteria living in root nodules. Older shrubs need to be pruned in spring - you can perform rejuvenation pruning down to three-year-old wood. You'll get your first fruits in 2 - 4 years.

Goji Berry

Goji berry (lat. Lycium) belongs to the nightshade family (lat. Solanaceae). The most widespread species is Chinese wolfberry (lat. Lycium chinense), whose fruits are known as wolfberry, goji or goji berry. The same name is also used for the plant itself. Chinese wolfberry grows mainly in the southern regions of China. Goji berries have been used in China for centuries as rejuvenating fruit. In traditional Chinese medicine, goji berry has its irreplaceable place and is considered an indispensable, completely universal food supplement. Particularly significant is its content of beta-carotene, vitamin C, B1 and B2. Goji berry strengthens the body's defences and immunity, helps lower blood pressure, is suitable for excessive alcohol consumption and supports sexual functions. Goji berry strengthens eyesight, soothes irritated eyes and improves visual acuity.

Growing Goji Berry

Goji berry is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 3 metres in height. Goji berry is not demanding on soil and growing conditions, it will grow almost anywhere. The most suitable is growing goji berry in a sunny location and in lighter soils. Water it during prolonged drought, otherwise it will do well with rainwater. Fertilising is not necessary. If you want to keep the goji berry small, you need to prune and shape it regularly. Goji berries flower from June to October. Orange-red fruits are subsequently formed from the flowers. The plant bears fruit approximately 2-3 years after planting. Goji berry is self-pollinating and fully frost-resistant in our conditions.

Mini Kiwi

Mini kiwi (lat. Actinidia) belongs to the Actinidiaceae family (lat. Actinidiaceae) of plants. It is actually a small-fruited variety of kiwi. There are around 40 species of mini kiwi. The most commonly grown is a hybrid called Actinidia Issai, probably created by crossing Actinidia arguta and Actinidia rufa. This species can also be grown in containers as balcony kiwi. Another undeniable advantage of this cultivar is its self-pollination. To obtain fruit, you therefore don't need male and female plants, as is common with other kiwi and mini kiwi varieties. The mini kiwi plant, besides bearing tasty fruit, is also very attractive, with dark green leaves and fragrant flowers blooming in June. Mini kiwi fruits have the same taste and shape as regular kiwi, they are just smaller (about the size of large gooseberries). Mini kiwis ripen gradually, they taste best when they start to soften slightly.

Growing Mini Kiwi

Mini kiwi can be grown without major difficulties and tolerates frost well. If you lightly cover the plant before winter arrives, you don't need to worry about the cold. Plant mini kiwi in a sunny location in slightly acidic, loose soil. The soil shouldn't be over-fertilized, as the plant would grow vigorously but wouldn't want to flower. After flowering, you can start fertilizing with, for example, Kristalon Start, and you can support fruit formation with Kristalon Plod. An alternative is planting in a large pot. Wherever you plant it, don't forget to provide support. Although mini kiwi Issai grows slowly, it's still good to prune it every spring. The bushes shouldn't be too dense; after harvest, remove fruited shoots. Mini kiwi flowers and fruits on new shoots growing from older wood.

Pepino Gold

Pepino gold (lat. Solanum muricatum) belongs, like goji berry, to the nightshade family (lat. Solanaceae). Pepino gold comes from Peru and Colombia. It enjoys great popularity in New Zealand. While conditions in the Czech Republic aren't entirely optimal for growing pepino, you can still grow your own. Pepino is a perennial plant, but here it's often grown only as an annual (growers don't have space for overwintering). Pepino grows to a height of approximately 30 - 50 cm. The flowers are very similar to potato flowers, the fruits are egg-shaped. Ripe fruits are yellow with distinct dark green to brownish-purple stripes. Plants with fruits bring a touch of exoticism to any garden.

Growing Pepino Gold

Pepino is accustomed to a warmer climate, so you must follow basic rules when growing it. Seeds must be sown very early, ideally at the beginning of January, because pepino gold has a very long growing season. With later-sown plants, the fruits might not ripen before the first frosts arrive. Pepino gold has similar temperature requirements to tomatoes. In our conditions, they are usually grown in containers and pots to prevent excessive growth and promote early flowering. A container approximately 40 cm in size is sufficient for one plant. Universal garden substrate is suitable soil. In mid-April, pinch off the growing tip to encourage branching. Pepino is not frost-resistant, so move it outdoors only when there's no risk of ground frost. It also doesn't tolerate temperatures below 6 °C, at which it stops growing. During the season, fertilize the plants regularly. If you plan to overwinter pepino, start reducing fertilization and watering in autumn, and after the fruits ripen, move it to a cooler, bright, and airy room with a minimum temperature of 3 °C. The root ball must never dry out completely, so water pepino occasionally even in winter.