Best Berries & Fruits for Heirloom
3 berry varieties well-suited for heirloom varieties. Open-pollinated heritage cultivars with unique flavor.
Alexandria
Day-neutral. A gourmet treat and easy landscape plant. These decorative little plants produce delicious, aromatic red strawberries, about twice the size of wild berries but much smaller than the standard type. Perennials, Alpine strawberries stay compact and produce few runners, making them suitable for rock gardens, path edgings, pots, and window boxes. Initial harvest begins the first year, with full harvest beginning the second year. Grows best in Zones 5-8.Edible Flowers: Flowers add a mild, strawberry-like flavor if sprinkled on salads or when used as a garnish for drinks and desserts.
Goji Berry (Wolfberry)
An ancient superfruit gaining popularity among health-conscious gardeners for its exceptional nutritional value and antioxidant content. This hardy shrub produces bright red berries with a sweet-tart flavor reminiscent of cranberries. Once established, goji berries are extremely drought-tolerant and can produce for decades.
Goldie
A conversation piece at markets, well-liked by children. This old-fashioned tomato family member bears 1/2- 3/4" sweet golden berries inside papery husks, resembling small, straw-colored Japanese lanterns. The flavor is quite sweet and a bit wild. Plants are profusely branching, prolific, and drop ripe fruits. Fruits can be eaten raw, dried like raisins, frozen, canned, or made into preserves, cooked pies, and desserts.
Why These Berries & Fruits Work for Heirloom
Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated cultivars passed down for generations — prized for complex flavor, storied history, and seed-saving potential. These varieties let you save seeds and grow the same crop next year.