Berry Bush Guild

A guild centered around native and domesticated berry bushes with supportive plants to increase production and attract pollinators.

Food Production Soil: Sandy Loam Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade Water: Moderate
Guild Ratings
9/10
7/10
8/10
7/10

Shrub

Serviceberry

Amelanchier spp.

Multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with edible berries in early summer. Also known as Juneberry.

Native: Yes
Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate
Soil pH Range: 5.5 - 7.5
Plant Size: 15.0' tall × 10.0' wide
Planting Season: March - April
Harvest Season: June - July
Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Deciduous shrub with edible berries used for food and medicine. Flowers are also edible.

Native: Yes
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate to High
Soil pH Range: 5.5 - 7.5
Plant Size: 12.0' tall × 8.0' wide
Planting Season: March - April
Harvest Season: August - September
Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Native shrub with delicious berries high in antioxidants. Requires acidic soil and good drainage.

Native: Yes
Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate
Soil pH Range: 4.5 - 5.5
Plant Size: 6.0' tall × 4.0' wide
Planting Season: March - April
Harvest Season: June - July
Blackberry

Rubus allegheniensis

Native bramble with delicious berries. Can spread aggressively but provides excellent wildlife habitat.

Native: Yes
Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Moderate
Soil pH Range: 5.5 - 7.0
Plant Size: 5.0' tall × 6.0' wide
Planting Season: March - April
Harvest Season: July - August
Aronia

Aronia melanocarpa

Native shrub with edible berries high in antioxidants. Drought tolerant and adaptable to various soils.

Native: Yes
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Low to Moderate
Soil pH Range: 5.5 - 7.5
Plant Size: 6.0' tall × 4.0' wide
Planting Season: March - April
Harvest Season: August - September

Herb

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Native medicinal herb with immune-boosting properties. Attractive to pollinators and drought tolerant.

Native: Yes
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Low to Moderate
Soil pH Range: 5.5 - 7.5
Plant Size: 3.0' tall × 2.0' wide
Planting Season: April - May
Harvest Season: July - September

Dynamic Accumulator

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Deep-rooted perennial that accumulates nutrients. Used for mulch, compost, and medicinal purposes.

Native: No
Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate
Soil pH Range: 6.0 - 7.5
Plant Size: 3.0' tall × 3.0' wide
Planting Season: March - April
Harvest Season: May - October

Recommended Planting Instructions

No detailed planting instructions are available for this guild yet.

Planting Calendar

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring Planting (7 plants)
  • Serviceberry March - April
    Shrub
  • Elderberry March - April
    Shrub
  • Blueberry March - April
    Shrub
  • Blackberry March - April
    Shrub
  • Aronia March - April
    Shrub
  • Echinacea April - May
    Herb
  • Comfrey March - April
    Dynamic Accumulator

Harvest Calendar

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring Harvest (1 plants)
  • Comfrey May - October
    Dynamic Accumulator
Summer Harvest (7 plants)
  • Serviceberry June - July
    Shrub
  • Elderberry August - September
    Shrub
  • Blueberry June - July
    Shrub
  • Blackberry July - August
    Shrub
  • Aronia August - September
    Shrub
  • Echinacea July - September
    Herb
  • Comfrey May - October
    Dynamic Accumulator
Fall Harvest (4 plants)
  • Elderberry August - September
    Shrub
  • Aronia August - September
    Shrub
  • Echinacea July - September
    Herb
  • Comfrey May - October
    Dynamic Accumulator

Monthly Activity Calendar

Plant Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Serviceberry P P H H
Elderberry P P H H
Blueberry P P H H
Blackberry P P H H
Aronia P P H H
Echinacea P P H H H
Comfrey P P H H H H H H
P = Planting Time H = Harvest Time
Wild Berry Cobbler
Difficulty: Medium Serves: 8 Season: Summer

A rustic dessert featuring seasonal berries. The perfect way to showcase the fruits of your berry guild.

Ingredients from this Guild:
  • Serviceberry
  • Elderberry
  • Blackberry
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix berries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
3. Pour into a baking dish.
4. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt for the topping.
5. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Add milk to form a soft dough.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough over the berries.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
9. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Herbal Immune Tea
Difficulty: Easy Serves: 1 Season: Year-round

A soothing herbal tea blend designed to support the immune system. Made with herbs that can be grown in a medicinal herb guild.

Ingredients from this Guild:
  • Elderberry
  • Echinacea
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Instructions:

1. Harvest equal parts elderberry flowers, echinacea leaves, and yarrow flowers.
2. Add a small amount of thyme and mint for flavor.
3. Dry herbs thoroughly or use fresh.
4. Mix herbs together and store in an airtight container if dried.
5. To prepare tea, steep 1 tablespoon of herb mixture in 8 oz of hot water for 5-10 minutes.
6. Strain and add honey to taste if desired.
7. Drink hot 2-3 times daily when needed for immune support.

Elderberry Syrup
Difficulty: Medium Serves: 25 Season: Fall

A traditional remedy made from elderberries to support immune function during cold and flu season. Can be taken as a daily tonic or added to tea or other beverages.

Ingredients from this Guild:
  • Elderberry
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Instructions:

1. Combine 1 cup dried elderberries (or 2 cups fresh) with 3 cups water in a saucepan.
2. Add 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 cloves if desired.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes until liquid is reduced by half.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing berries to extract all juice.
6. Add 1 cup of honey to the warm liquid and stir well to dissolve.
7. Store in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
8. Take 1 tablespoon daily for adults (1 teaspoon for children) as a preventative, or take the same amount every 2-3 hours when feeling unwell.

Blackberry Jam
Difficulty: Medium Serves: 64 Season: Summer

A simple, classic jam made from foraged or garden-grown blackberries. Captures the essence of summer for year-round enjoyment.

Ingredients from this Guild:
  • Blackberry
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Instructions:

1. Clean and sort 8 cups of fresh blackberries, removing any stems.
2. Place berries in a large pot and crush slightly with a potato masher.
3. Add the juice of one lemon and 5 cups of sugar.
4. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
5. Add 1 package of powdered pectin and return to a full boil for exactly 1 minute.
6. Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
7. Ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
8. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.
9. Allow jars to cool completely before storing.