North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[R F Hollaus <hollaus@comcast.net>]

Michele,

Our North American native "aronia malanocarpa":
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_arme6.pdf

This shrub is well adapted where I have seen it growing west of the Cascade 
mountains. Although it may not be said in the article it is a very high 
source 
of ORAC of almost three times that of blueberry. I find the fruit of great 
value 
to me as an allergy suppressor. Blueberry works that way with me too. The 
best way to eat the fruit it is to add sugar to the whole fruit in a jelly 
form. 

It is at peak production (according to article) in low moist soils. It might 
be 
possible to graft aronia on sorbus (mountain ashes) which are more drought 
tolerant. 

Rupert.

----- Original Message -----
> Hello all,
> 
> I am preparing a list for new fruit students, a list of 'bullet proof'
> fruiting or perennial edible plants. I would like to hear of your favorite
> low-care fruits if you live in humid zones 5-7 east of the Rockies. But more
> specifically, which species and cultivars, including rootstocks, perform
> well for you without too much care on your part? Perennial vegetables are
> fair game, too.
> 
> The ideal plant for my list would still give a decent yield of usable fruit
> with little pest management (except fencing for deer), minimal pruning, be
> happy with neutral pH soil, and perhaps no care except for irrigation during
> drought, etc.
> 
> I am assuming that with BMP these same plants might produce wonderful,
> marketable fruit-but the question is, what would they do when treated
> with benign neglect?
> 
> Many thanks!
> 
> Michele in SW Ohio
>