Sampler of Rare Fruits for Fun or Profit

Here is a sampler of unconventional fruits appearing on temperate climate farms and in nurseries. Their rarity in your location, of course, is determined by your growing region.
Sea Buckthorn (Hipprophae rhamnoides)

An extremely productive northern fruiting plant, sea buckthorn, also called sea buckthorn super berry or simply sea berry, is actually widely produced and yet very few in America are aware of it. It's an attractive small tree or shrub native to the Russian Asia. It grows up to ten feet, with filter silver leaves, spaced seven feet apart unless creating a hedge with plantings three to five feet apart. It is very hardy to minus 50 degrees F., and is not hard to grow and proof to disease. Prolific circular yellow-orange fruits from the female plants are incredibly high in vitamin C. In Europe they may be made into gravies, jellies and used as a base for liqueurs. The juice is tart and is sweetened or blended with other fruit. Branches are also used in florist displays and the cosmetic and therapeutic industry uses oil of the kernel and pulp.

Quince, Tree and Rose bush (Cydonia oblonga)

On Dog Mountain Farm in Carnation, Washington, owners David & Cindy Krepky have extra quince to their sustainably operated community supported culture farm, which offers a sizable variety of better known vegetables, fruits, herbs and cut flowers as well. Nurseries offer several kinds of quince tree, some of which describe the fruit of the 15 as a wonderful pineapple-like taste. Value added products made from quince include jello and jam, and they are sometimes mixed with apple cider. Almost every non-urban family had a fruiting quince tree in the early 20th century. The woods grow up to15 feet, some closer to 8-10 to 10 feet, are self fertile with large white blossoms in late spring, and big brilliant yellow fruit ripening in fall. The late blossoms allow them to avoid spring frost damage. Typically the quince bush is a winter hardy, disease tolerant shrub also covered in fall with pineapple and/or citrus flavored fruits used to make jellies, jellies or syrups.

Huckleberries (Vaccinium species)

Closely related to blueberries, huckleberries are rarely found in nurseries but huckleberry jams, pies and preserves are considered highly prized products. Sometimes more often called wild blueberries in the eastern You. S., they have got much the same growing requirements as blueberries. Their berries are small and have a distinct wild flavor. Varieties native to the Pacific Northwest coast, sub-alpine and mountain regions can be obtained, with some being evergreen, plus some deciduous. There is at least one variety that grows well in UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE zones 4 through 10.

Kiwis (Actinidia species)

Even though becoming well known, the kiwi is still considered a very special fruits, especially with the added novelty of being produced locally and organically. Indigenous to Asia with the fuzzy kiwi introduced from New Zealand and hardy varieties from Russia and Japan, the vines are fast growing, with a variety of sizes of bright green-fleshed sweet fruits. The fuzzy, larger kiwis are hardy in the Pacific Northwest, but chillier climates can grow the Arctic Beauty and the Arguta Hardy Kiwis. The male vine is needed for the females to set fruit, with one able to pollinate upward to eight females. The particular fruits ripen in tumble, and are usually selected after the first ice, still hard, when they can be trapped in a fridge for months, and then set out to ease. Growers report no significant pest or disease problems, with mature vines producing 25 pounds or more of fruit.

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