Shrub layer - Plants

1 Tea Plant: 2 years old - current height 30-40 cm

Seed-sown plants, grown in Swedish climate

Common name: Tea Plant, Tea Shrub, Tea Tree
Scientific name: Camellia sinensis
Family: Theaceae

Plant history & use:

Tea is consumed worldwide as the second most common beverage after water. The tea bush contains theine, which counteracts fatigue, and theanine , which provides a calming effect, unlike coffee, which only has the invigorating properties of caffeine (=theine). A cup of tea can therefore be invigorating and calming at the same time.

It is mainly leaf buds and young leaves that are picked to brew tea with, but sometimes the flowers are also used. The younger the shoots/leafs, the higher quality tea.

From the tea bush Camellia sinensis, you can make different types of tea: white, yellow, green, blue (oolong), black and "dark" tea. The difference between them is defined by different fermentation and oxidation processes. White tea is not even allowed to oxidize, while "dark" tea is allowed to both oxidize and ferment for long periods. The types in between are gradually more or less in one direction or the other, in the order stated. All types have their health benefits, sometimes differing.

Red tea (rooibos) comes from another species, the Rooibos bush Aspalathus linearis .

The tea leaves are also used for cooking in Asia - for example Tea Lead Salad (fermented leaves) in Burma and (fresh leaves) in Thailand.

Cultivation:

The exact origin of the Tea bush is debated, although it has been pinned down that it originates from an area south-east of the Tibetan plateau: between China, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and north-east India.

The Tea bush was first cultivated in ancient China and not introduced to Europe until the 17th century - only to be spread by colonialists for cultivation in India, Africa and Indonesia. 

The first sights of an established plantation in Europe was not until the late 19th century - in the Azores islands of Portugal. Shortly after emerges cultivations in Georgia, Turkey and Russia which still to this day are the largest tea producers in Europe.

A southern European climate can be a great match for growing tea, especially on locations with a slightly humid, subtropical and hilly environment with mild winters and long summers. Similar to that of Georgias hillside tea plantations, for example. 

Northern Europe has its fair share of successful tea plantations as well, maybe with UK Tregothnan as one of the first. Recent years has seen an increase in northern European tea cultivations, ranging from Belgium all the way up to Sweden. And they are operating well. What this tells us is that cultivating tea is actually possible in most parts of Europe, just spend a bit of your power of thought to find (or create) the right spot.

The tea bush naturally grows at high altitudes where it gets colder at night, and it may also be chilly during daytime. It prefers a location sheltered from wind, as it slows down leaf growth. It does not like to grow in shade however, the optimal location is an environment with lots of light.

It prefers a well-drained soil - not a permanently moist soil, neither a drought susceptible soil. In optimal conditions the water just flushes through regularly, leaving the soil free to dry up in between flushes. 

Reading the above preferations, you may start to realize why a sloping hillside environment is the natural environment of the tea bush. A hillside climate is not a must though, many of the successful European cultivations are grown on plain land. Just try to mimic the preferred conditions as much as you can, with whatever means you have available to the degree that you can. 

The tea bush can be overwintered outdoors in most of Europe, depending on location and conditions the plants may need to be covered during wintertime - e.g. straw, bark or similar.

Tea thrives in acidic soil, use Rhododendron soil when repotting the plant the first time.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun/Part shade
Height: 1-2 meters
Germination Time: 1-3 months
USDA Zones: 7-9

1 Goji plant: 2 years old - ready to flower = bear fruit

Current height 10-30 cm

Raised in Swedish climate

Common name: Goji Berry, Wolfberry, Matrimony Vine, Chinese Boxthorn, Himalayan/Tibetan Goji
Scientific name: Lycium barbarum
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Goji berries are one of the most popular superfoods on the market and they are often used in muesli, smoothies, salads and bread or simply eaten as they are. The reason for its popularity is probably because the goji berry is one of the most nutrient-dense berries available. It is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as omega-3 and antioxidants. The goji berry also has a particularly high protein content of 10g per 100g, which is very unusual among fruits and berries. The taste is sweet with hints of cranberry and cherry. The berries are usually dried before use.

The red goji berry is richer in carotenoids than the black goji berry, while the black one is richer in antioxidants.

The root is used in herbal medicine for its liver cleansing properties.

In Asia the leaves are cooked in stews and soups or made into tea.

Cultivation:

Goji grows wild in Asia and since it was brought into Europe it has also started to spread itself naturally here. The plant is a deciduous shrub that usually grows 80-200 cm high.

The goji plant is very easy to care for and it is tolerant for both salt and wind. For this reason it is often planted as a soil binder as a barrier along the beachside in costal regions. It thrives well in both sun and partial shade, this is an adaptable plant!

The Goji berry can be grown in all of Europe. 

Sowing:

The seeds are sown indoors in moist soil, outdoors in pots or in the open field. Optimal germination temperature is around 20-25 ºC . It can take 3-4 months for the newly germinated plants to get ready for transplanting, so it is recommended that you sow early in the year. Then you have a good chance of harvesting already the same year.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun / Partial shade
Height: 1-3 meters
USDA Zone: 3-10

1 Tea Plant: 2 years old - current height 30-40 cm

Seed-sown plants, grown in Swedish climate

Common name: Tea Plant, Tea Shrub, Tea Tree
Scientific name: Camellia sinensis
Family: Theaceae

Plant history & use:

Tea is consumed worldwide as the second most common beverage after water. The tea bush contains theine, which counteracts fatigue, and theanine , which provides a calming effect, unlike coffee, which only has the invigorating properties of caffeine (=theine). A cup of tea can therefore be invigorating and calming at the same time.

It is mainly leaf buds and young leaves that are picked to brew tea with, but sometimes the flowers are also used. The younger the shoots/leafs, the higher quality tea.

From the tea bush Camellia sinensis, you can make different types of tea: white, yellow, green, blue (oolong), black and "dark" tea. The difference between them is defined by different fermentation and oxidation processes. White tea is not even allowed to oxidize, while "dark" tea is allowed to both oxidize and ferment for long periods. The types in between are gradually more or less in one direction or the other, in the order stated. All types have their health benefits, sometimes differing.

Red tea (rooibos) comes from another species, the Rooibos bush Aspalathus linearis .

The tea leaves are also used for cooking in Asia - for example Tea Lead Salad (fermented leaves) in Burma and (fresh leaves) in Thailand.

Cultivation:

The exact origin of the Tea bush is debated, although it has been pinned down that it originates from an area south-east of the Tibetan plateau: between China, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and north-east India.

The Tea bush was first cultivated in ancient China and not introduced to Europe until the 17th century - only to be spread by colonialists for cultivation in India, Africa and Indonesia. 

The first sights of an established plantation in Europe was not until the late 19th century - in the Azores islands of Portugal. Shortly after emerges cultivations in Georgia, Turkey and Russia which still to this day are the largest tea producers in Europe.

A southern European climate can be a great match for growing tea, especially on locations with a slightly humid, subtropical and hilly environment with mild winters and long summers. Similar to that of Georgias hillside tea plantations, for example. 

Northern Europe has its fair share of successful tea plantations as well, maybe with UK Tregothnan as one of the first. Recent years has seen an increase in northern European tea cultivations, ranging from Belgium all the way up to Sweden. And they are operating well. What this tells us is that cultivating tea is actually possible in most parts of Europe, just spend a bit of your power of thought to find (or create) the right spot.

The tea bush naturally grows at high altitudes where it gets colder at night, and it may also be chilly during daytime. It prefers a location sheltered from wind, as it slows down leaf growth. It does not like to grow in shade however, the optimal location is an environment with lots of light.

It prefers a well-drained soil - not a permanently moist soil, neither a drought susceptible soil. In optimal conditions the water just flushes through regularly, leaving the soil free to dry up in between flushes. 

Reading the above preferations, you may start to realize why a sloping hillside environment is the natural environment of the tea bush. A hillside climate is not a must though, many of the successful European cultivations are grown on plain land. Just try to mimic the preferred conditions as much as you can, with whatever means you have available to the degree that you can. 

The tea bush can be overwintered outdoors in most of Europe, depending on location and conditions the plants may need to be covered during wintertime - e.g. straw, bark or similar.

Tea thrives in acidic soil, use Rhododendron soil when repotting the plant the first time.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun/Part shade
Height: 1-2 meters
Germination Time: 1-3 months
USDA Zones: 7-9

1 plant Strawberry Raspberry: 2 years old - ready to flower = bear fruit

Current height 20-40 cm

Common names: Strawberry Raspberry, Balloon Berry
Scientific name: Rubus illecebrosus
Family: Rosaceae

Plant history & use:

The strawberry raspberry originates from Japan and is part of the same genus as our common raspberry ( Rubus idaeus ), but has an appearance similar to a strawberry.

The taste is reminiscent of the mulberry. Suitable for making jam. You can also eat the berries as they are. However, the berries are considered to develop more flavor when cooked.

Culture:

Lightly cultivated. Thrives in a sunny location. Grows well in most soils, but if you want a good harvest, a nutrient-rich soil should be used.

Spreads easily via root shoots and forms a ground-covering habit.

Self-pollinating.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun/part shade
Height: 50-100 cm
Growing zone: 1-5

1 Yellow Goji plant: 2 years old - ready to flower = bear fruit

Current height 30-40 cm

Raised in a Swedish climate

Common names: Yellow Goji, Yellow Gojiberry, Yellow Buckthorn
Scientific name: Lycium barbarum
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Yellow Gojiberry is in the same genus as it red and it black goji berry and, like its relatives, is a nutritious berry, especially in vitamins and proteins. Unlike the red goji berry, yellow goji berries contain no bitter substances and also have a lower sugar content.

Yellow goji berries can be eaten raw as they are, used in salads or dried to add to muesli or baked goods. You can also simply make a drink from them, like black goji berries.

Both yellow and black goji berries are relatively uncommon in Sweden so far, so here is the chance to have something outstanding and useful in the cultivation!

Culture:

Yellow Goji is a hardy shrub that can withstand many subzero temperatures and is therefore suitable for outdoor cultivation in Sweden, either in a pot or in the open field. The shrub grows well in both sandy, clay soils and everything in between, as long as the soil is well-drained. It thrives in sunny locations and is relatively insensitive to drought, wind and salt.

The bush also has a strong root system that binds the soil well. Its hardy properties make it an effective plant in maritime coastal climates with a lot of wind.

Yellow Goji is a grateful plant that does not require much care.

The bush grows to 1-3 meters. The way the bush grows makes it suitable for tying up on strings along a facade to grow as a facade cover. Regardless of whether it grows against a facade or not, give it something to climb on / grow against and the bush will grow faster.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 1-3 m
Growing zone: 1-6

1 bush Red Goumi Pointilla® 'Sweet'N'Sour'

Now in a larger size: C2 pot and 60-80 cm high

2 individuals are recommended for good pollination

Common name: Red Goumi, Japanese Silver Bush
Scientific name: Elaeagnus umbellata Pointilla® Sweet'N'Sour
Family: Elaeagnaceae

Plant history & use:

Description coming soon...

Culture:

Description coming soon...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 2-3 m
Growing zone: 1-4

1 bush Yellow Goumi Pointilla® 'Fortunella'

Now in a larger size: C2 pot and 80-120 cm high

2 individuals are recommended for good pollination

Common name: Yellow Goumi, Japanese Silverbush
Scientific name: Elaeagnus umbellata Pointilla® Fortunella
Family: Elaeagnaceae

Plant history & use:

Description coming soon...

Culture:

Description coming soon...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 2-3 m
Growing zone: 1-4

1 Dwarf Mulberry Mojo Berry® 'Matsunaga': current height 60-80 cm

The picture is just an example, this batch of plants is taller and stronger.

Common name: Dwarf Mulberry, Mojo Berry ®
Scientific name: Morus rotundiloba
Family: Moraceae

Plant history & use:

Mojo Berry® is a short-growing mulberry variety that bears fruit on both older and new branches, which means you can pick mulberries in the first year, unlike the usual 5 or 6 years that it takes most other mulberries.

This dwarf, compact variety only reaches a height of around 1.5 m (compared to regular mulberries which can grow up to 6-8 m tall), making it suitable for any garden.

Unlike other varieties that only produce fruit during a 3-week period towards the end of summer, Mojo Berry® produces berries over a very long period, from May right through to September.

The fruits are great for using in jam, cake or other dishes.

Mojo Berry® is beautiful as a solitary tree in a pot on the terrace/patio or in a pot with co-planting together with other plants and is also nice as a hedge plant/border.

General information about Mulberry:

Mulberry trees are one of our oldest cultivated plants. The black mulberry tree, like the white variety, Morus alba , originates from West Asia - however, the black mulberry tree came to Europe a couple of hundred years before the white one. The first findings of knowledge about the black mulberry tree were already around 300 BC. It may be that Morus nigra originates somewhat further to the southwest (closer to Europe) in West Asia than its relative Morus alba, and that this is why Morus nigra also has a slightly worse hardiness in cold climates than its relative.

Traditionally, the black mulberry was used to make wine and cosmetics - thanks to its high concentration of anthocyanins which give the berry its deep dark colour. However, the berries were also grown for fresh consumption.

Unlike the white mulberry tree, which can vary in color, the black mulberry tree's fruits are always black when ripe. The black mulberry is also more acidic.

The berries are rich in antioxidants and, like mulberry leaf tea, are thought to help balance blood sugar levels. This is thanks to content of the substance MFE which stabilizes blood sugar levels and thus suppresses the body's cravings for sweets. Therefore, mulberries are a common substitute for those who want to get rid of their cravings for sweets.

Due to the berries' unusually high nutritional content, mulberries, like the goji berry , are considered a so-called "superfood".

In addition to mulberry wine, you can also make juice and jam from the berries.

The leaves can be used to brew healthy tea, which has historically been drunk in China and has recently begun to become popular in Asia again.

Culture:

Mojo Berry® is hardy down to -10 ° C = outdoor cultivation zone 1-2 . If you cover the tree with sheep wool or similar for the winter, it can survive outdoors up to zone 5. Alternatively, grow in a pot and place in a greenhouse/storage over the winter.

The tree can grow in most soils but thrives best in loose, nutrient-rich soils. It is resistant to windy coastal climates but grows best in warm, wind-sheltered locations.

Suitable as a trellis tree as the branches are easily bendable.

Mulberry trees are also well suited to forest orchards as they are a popular host plant among many organisms and provide recurring harvests without much maintenance, as well as protecting plants in lower layers.

Mulberries are self-fertile, meaning that only one tree is needed to produce fruit.

Prune in winter when the tree is dormant to avoid excessive "bleeding", which is otherwise a common characteristic of mulberry plants.

The berries ripen continuously from May to September.

The berries are harvested when the color has changed from red to jet black. One tip is to pick the berries with a needle to avoid crushing them between your fingers.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: around 150 cm
Growing zone: 1-2 outdoors, 1-5 with winter cover or in greenhouses

1st plant 'Sweetleaf®': current height 30-50 cm

Common name: 'Sweetleaf®' Raspberry, Sweetleaf, 'Sweetleaf®' Raspberry, Sugarleaf
Scientific name: Rubus chingii var. suavissimus
Family: Rosaceae

Plant history & use:

Sweetleaf® is a raspberry species originating from China, where it grows mainly in the southern provinces of Guizhou, Guang Dong and Guangxi. The shrub is relatively unknown but is becoming highly sought after due to its sweetening ability and hardy qualities.

Sweetleaf® can be described as a more hardy alternative to Stevia: as its leaves contain so-called 'rubusosides' which are part of the same glycoside group as steviosides, and as it is fully winter-hardy and even has a vigorous growth habit.

The two glycosides stevioside and rubusoside are very similar in their chemical structure and therefore have a nearly identical sweetening effect. The chemical molecule 'rubusoside' in its pure form is approximately 200 times sweeter than commercially refined sugar from sugar beets in its pure form.

Even fresh leaves have an enormous sweetness. If you chew on a leaf, it tastes quite neutrally "green" at first, before a distinctive, broad, dull sweetness takes over the taste buds.

Sweetleaf ® has no odd aftertaste, which stevia is often criticized for.

To use Sweetleaf®: tear or cut the freshly harvested leaves into pieces and then blanch them in boiling water. In the process, the sweetening substances are released from the leaves and absorbed by the water. The amount of leaves used is purely a matter of taste. Some like it a little sweeter (more leaves); others don't like it quite so sweet (fewer leaves). You can also rub the leaves in your palms before blanching them, so the leaf structure breaks down and the sweeteners can more easily escape from the cells.

The leaves can also be used as a sweetener in dried form, powdered or by boiling a syrup with them.

Great for sweetening teas and pastries.

Rubus chingii var. suavissimus is one of four species used in Guangxi, China to make the ethnomedicine tiancha (sweet tea).

Culture:

Sweetleaf® is a vigorous, deciduous shrub. The fast-growing shoots have enormous vigor with an upright growth habit and reach a final height of approximately 250 cm. Due to the strong growth force, the fresh shoots are very tolerant of pruning and grow back quickly.

The fresh, green shoots are heavily armed with thorns, but this is not of major importance as only the leaves are of interest. The leaves have a striking, five-lobed shape.

Best grown in well-drained soil in sunny to semi-shade. location. Generally tolerant of many different soils.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing conditions: sun - partial shade
Height: 1.5-2.5 m
Growing zone: 1-4

1 plant Black Raspberry 'Black Jewel': 2 years old - ready to flower = bear fruit

Current height 50-80 cm

Common name: Black Raspberry 'Black Jewel'
Scientific name: Rubus occidentalis
Family: Rosaceae

Plant history & use:

The black raspberry, Rubus occidentalis, is a black colored variant of the more common red raspberry, Rubus ideaus. As can be seen above, however, they are two completely different species. The black raspberry is described as highly disease resistant, easy to grow and early bearing. The black raspberry is also more resistant to heat and drought. The berries keep their shape for several days in the fridge after harvesting.

The black raspberry has also been called the "King of Berries" due to its reputed health benefits. The berries contain high levels of antioxidants and also anthocyanins (the group of substances that give fruits and vegetables their dark color - blue/purple/black) which have an anti-inflammatory effect and are also linked to processes in the body in the form of improved memory and increased eyesight .

The variety 'Black Jewel' has berries with a high sweetness and a pleasant aftertaste that remains after the berries have been eaten. The berries have a glossy appearance and make an eye-catching addition to the cultivation.

The berries can be both dried and frozen for later use. They are good in smoothies. You can also make jam and juice from black raspberries.

Culture:

Grow in a well-drained soil in a sunny location. They thrive best in a sandy soil rich in humus. To give the plant a humus-rich soil, you can then crowd plant residues (e.g. grass clippings) into the top layer of soil or cover the soil with a layer of plant residues.

It may be good to note that the black raspberry is a tall-growing raspberry species, the bush normally grows 2-3 meters high.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 2-3 m
Growing zone: 1-4

Delivery in April

1st Natal plum plant: 2 years old

Current height 20-40 cm

Trivial Name: Natal Plum, Amathungulu, Large Num-Num
Scientific name: Carissa macrocarpa (syn. C. grandiflora )
Family: Apocynaceae 

Plant history & use:

The Natal plum is a fascinating shrub with its roots in subtropical regions. It is a shrub that charms with its beautiful white flowers and entices with its red, juicy fruits. The tree has received its Swedish trivial name "Natal plum" because of its origin in the Natal region of South Africa.

Natal plum is not only a beautiful shrub but also offers a variety of uses. Its red fruits are edible and have a sweet and juicy taste. These fruits can be eaten directly or used in jams, marmalades and other delicious desserts. In addition, they are used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits.

This interesting shrub also has the ability to contribute to the surrounding environment. Its deep roots help improve soil structure and can help keep erosion-prone areas in check. Its flowers are fragrant and also attract pollinating insects - a welcome addition to biodiversity.

Natal plums bloom and bear fruit for a large part of the season. The fruits are packed with vitamin C.

Suitable for growing as an edible hedge in sunny and favorable locations.

Culture:

Natal plums thrive best in a warm, sunny environment with good drainage. They can also tolerate partial shade and shade. They are a relatively hardy tree and can survive short periods of drought. They can also withstand a few degrees below zero, so growing in the ground with winter cover in warmer parts of the country can work. Alternatively, move indoors over the winter.

For growing in pots, it is important to use well-drained soil to avoid water stagnation which can damage the roots.

Within its natural climatic limits, the Natal plum is an evergreen shrub.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing conditions: sun / partial shade / shade
Height: 1-2 m

1 plant Blueberry 'Zojka': 2 years old - ready to bloom = bear fruit

Current height 40-60 cm

Common names: Blueberry, Honeyberry, Blue Honeysuckle, Haskap Berry, Honeyberry
Scientific name: Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica
Family: Caprifoliaceae

Plant history & use:

Full description coming soon...

Culture:

Full description coming soon...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun / partial shade
Height: 160 cm
Growing zone: 1-7

1 Sea buckthorn plant: 2 years old - current height 40-50 cm

Self-fertile variety = only needs 1 plant to set fruit.

Common names: Sea buckthorn, Sea buckthorn, Finnberry
Scientific name: Hippophae rhamnoides
Family: Elaeagnaceae

Plant history & use:

Full description on the way...

Culture:

Full description on the way...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 2-3 meters
Growing zone: 1-6

1 Yerba Mate plant of the variety 'GARDEN 2 CUP®' - current height 40-60 cm

The picture is just an example, this batch of plants is taller and stronger.

Common name: Mate, Yerba Mate, Paraguayte, Tereré
Scientific name: Ilex paraguariensis
Family: Aquifoliaceae

Plant history & use:

The Yerba Mate plant originates from the subtropical regions of South America. It was originally consumed by the Guarani people for its "energizing and healing properties."

The drink mate is a popular alternative to coffee as the plant's caffeinated leaves are dried and ground/crushed to brew the stimulating drink . The leaves also contain vitamin B6 and magnesium which, among other things, help reduce fatigue and balance sleep habits.

Mate contains around 80mg of caffeine per cup, while traditional tea ( Camellia sinensis ) contains around 40mg for green tea, or 60mg for black tea; coffee contains 100-200+mg of caffeine per cup - this gives an idea of ​​the invigorating effect of the different drinks. However, the other active ingredients of each drink, in addition to caffeine, also have an effect on the level of alertness or freshness, but caffeine is an easy way to compare the different drinks. Mate also contains theobromine, which is a well-known substance due to its occurrence in cocoa.

The ground/crushed leaves are normally simmered in hot water. If the drink is cold brewed instead, it is called tereré. The cold drink tereré is consumed mostly in the warmer regions of South America. Often, various types of refreshing and medicinal herbs are added to the drink to be consumed in conjunction.

In South American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, mate is so common that it is more common than coffee - something that can be difficult for us Europeans to understand. Even in the USA, the drink is widely available to buy in stores. Outside America, mate has spread in popularity to the Levant (Syria & Lebanon etc.).

The leaves are also rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E; the minerals potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, phosphorus and zinc; and a range of flavonoids which help protect the body against oxidative stress.

There are different ways to make mate. Some mate blends have been fermented, while blends made using other methods skip this step and carry out only a short drying before grinding the leaves - the latter variant often contains only leaves, is very finely ground and produces a neon green colored drink. Other mixtures contain both twigs and leaves - and some have also undergone a smoking process over fire.

Culture:

Yerba Mate thrives best in a regularly warm climate with a slightly higher humidity. The plant can withstand short-term temperatures down to -8ºC, however, it is probably nothing that allows outdoor winters even in the warmest parts of the country. However, you can overwinter the plant in cold spaces such as frost-free greenhouses, storage rooms or basements as long as it does not get below freezing for a long period. You can also overwinter Yerba Maten indoors to move outside during the warmer months.

Plant your Mate plant in a pot with well-drained soil, place outdoors in full sun and wind-protected location from March/April (no freezing temperatures for extended periods) - if you have a greenhouse, it is an excellent place for Yerba Mate. Move for overwintering when freezing temperatures approach.

Leaves begin Normally harvested in the spring from the plant's 4th year.

Yerba Mate is an evergreen plant, so if you manage to get it to thrive, it will provide its surroundings with greenery all year round.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 4-6 meters
Growing zone: hardy down to -8 ºC for short periods

1 plant Blueberry 'Wojtek': 2 years old - ready to bloom = bear fruit

Current height 60-70 cm

Common names: Blueberry, Honeyberry, Bärtry, Haskap, Honeyberry, Haskap Berry, Blue Honeysuckle
Scientific name: Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica
Family: Caprifoliaceae

Plant history & use:

Full description coming soon...

Culture:

Full description coming soon...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun / partial shade
Height: 150-170 cm
Growing zone: 1-7

1 female Tasmanian Pepper plant: 1 year old - current height 20-40 cm

Follow this link for male plants .

Common names: Tasmanian Pepperberry, Mountain Pepper, Pepper Tree
Scientific name: Tasmannia lanceolata (syn. Drimys aromatica )
Family: Winteraceae

Plant history & use:

Description coming soon...

Culture:

Description coming soon...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing conditions: partial shade / sun
Height: 2-3 meters
Growing zone: 1-2 (hardy down to -15ºC)

1 plant Blueberry 'Borealis': 2 years old - ready to bloom = bear fruit

Current height 40-60 cm

Common names: Blueberry, Honeyberry, Blue Honeysuckle, Haskap Berry, Honeyberry
Scientific name: Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica
Family: Caprifoliaceae

Plant history & use:

Full description coming soon...

Culture:

Full description coming soon...

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun / partial shade
Height: 150 cm
Growing zone: 1-7

1 plant Black Goji: 1 year old - current height 15-30 cm

Raised in Swedish climate

Common names: Black Goji, Russian Buckthorn
Scientific name: Lycium ruthenicum Murr.
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Black Goji is, like the relative Goji ( Lycium barbarum ) , a rich source of proteins and vitamins. The black goji berry is particularly rich in anthocyanins, with a higher content than blueberries. The shrub originates in the areas around the Tibetan Plateau and southern Russia.

It is a plant that has not yet received much attention in the West, but it has long been used by the indigenous people in its natural plant environment. Surprisingly, the indigenous people of small North Indian communities use the berry to make an ointment to prevent blindness in camels. This is possible thanks to the berry's high content of lutein .

The berry gets its deep blue-purple color from the anthocyanins, a substance found in unusually high concentrations in the black goji berry. Anthocyanins are the same substances that color blueberries blue and contribute to many of their beneficial properties.

Ripe berries can be eaten raw, dried or cooked.

The most common way to consume black goji berries is to make a so-called infusion on them. This is best done when they are completely fresh, but it can also be done with dried berries. The Black Goji Berry gives off different colors depending on the type of water used. In the case of mineral-rich water (basic: pH >7) the color becomes deep dark blue and in acidic water (pH <7) the color becomes intense purple.

Culture:

Black Goji originally grows in very extreme climates where it is exposed to drought, extreme cold, high salinity and nutrient poor soils. These factors have made the black goji berry a very hardy plant. It can grow in temperatures down to -20 ºC.

It is an easy-to-grow shrub that often produces rich harvests. It likes to grow in well-drained soils (often sandy soils) and establishes a strong root system, which makes it a good soil binder, e.g. at beach edges. It can also naturally form a tight wall that protects against the worst wind. Thrives in bright conditions.

The bush grows up to 2 m and can be grown outdoors in open ground in Sweden. To protect your Black Goji bush from the harshest Swedish conditions, in late summer you can cover the base of the plant with straw, leaves or the like. - this protects the plant from the most severe cold and extends the growing season.

The numerous berries range from green to black/bluish purple in color. It is only then that they are ready for harvest. This takes place summer-autumn.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 1-2 m
Growing zone: 1-6

'Tearoma®' is a tea variety bred in Switzerland for its good hardiness and ability to be grown outdoors all year round in our climate. It is still a new phenomenon that you can grow tea in Sweden, not all tea varieties can cope but the ones with the best hardiness on the market today are this variety and the Dutch-bred variety 'Tea by Me' .

Common names: Tea, Tea bush, Tea tree, Tea plant
Scientific name: Camellia sinensis
Family: Theaceae

Plant history & use:

Tea is consumed all over the world and is the second most common drink after water. The tea bush contains theine, which counteracts fatigue, and theanine, which has a calming effect, unlike coffee, which only has the stimulating properties of caffeine (=theine). A cup of tea can therefore be invigorating and calming at the same time.

It is mainly the leaf buds and leaves that are picked to brew tea, but sometimes the flowers are also used.

From the tea bush Camellia sinensis, you can make different types of tea: white, yellow, green, blue (oolong), black and “dark” tea. The difference between them is made up of different fermentation and oxidation processes. White tea is not even allowed to oxidize, while “dark” tea is allowed to both oxidize and ferment for long periods. The types in between are gradually more or less in one direction or the other, in the order listed above. All types have their health benefits, sometimes different.

Red tea (rooibos) comes from a different plant species, the Rooibos bush. Aspalathus linearis .

Tea leaves are also used in cooking in Asia - for example, Tea Leaf Salad (fermented leaves) in Burma and (fresh leaves) in Thailand.

Culture:

Tea has recently started to be grown in Sweden and there is a successful tea plantation on Gotland that grows for commercial use. The tea bush grows in its natural environment at high altitudes where it gets colder at night, and where it can also be cold during the day. The tea bush can be overwintered outdoors in Sweden, depending on the location and circumstances, the plants may need to be covered for the winter (e.g. with straw).

Protect from cold winds with some windbreak, such as non-woven fabric attached to posts around the plant, and cover with straw or similar during the winter months.

Tea thrives in acidic soil, use Rhododendron soil when repotting the plant for the first time.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun/partial shade
Height: 1-2 meters
Growing zone: 1-4

1st plant Tayberry 'Buckingham Tayberry': 2 years old - ready to bloom = bear fruit

Current height 40-60 cm

Common names: Tayberry, Boysenberry, Bearberry
Scientific name: Rubus fruticosus x ideaus
Family: Rosaceae

Plant history & use:

'Buckingham Tayberry' is a thornless variety with smooth, flat leaves that produces plenty of tasty berries.

The tayberry bush produces large, flavorful and juicy burgundy berries that are perfect for eating straight away - but also for making juice, jam and even wine.

Another good way to use tayberries is to bake a tayberry pie.

Like other hybrids, Tayberry also shows good resistance to plant diseases.

Culture:

Preferably grow in well-drained, humus-rich soil in a warm, sunny location. Does not do well in heavy clay soils, dry, sandy soils or waterlogged areas.

The tayberry bush has inherited its long and slender branches from the blackberry and therefore works excellently to be grown climbing in a pergola, against a wall or similar. The development and health of the bush is generally benefited by some type of support for the branches.

The berries ripen from mid-July to late August. Berries are formed on branches that are at least 2 years old.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun/partial shade
Height: 2 m
Growing zone: 1-2