What types of fruit seeds does Oreshka Seeds offer?

Oreshka Seeds carries 166 varieties across four sub-collections: Fruit Trees (77 varieties — cherries, plums, apples, pears, peaches, persimmons, mulberries), Berry Fruits (33 varieties — currants, cloudberry, bilberry, raspberry, goji), Shrub Fruits (31 varieties — hawthorn, rowan, viburnum, barberry, dogwood), and Exotic Fruits (25 varieties — mango, dragon fruit, lychee, guava, pawpaw). Each sub-collection has its own dedicated page with variety comparisons.

Can I grow cold-hardy fruit trees from seed in Zone 4 or the UK?

Many varieties in this collection tolerate Zone 3 and below. Manchurian apricot (Prunus mandschurica) survives −40°C, Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa) to −35°C, and hawthorn (Crataegus sanguinea) to −45°C. In the UK, nearly all Prunus, Malus, Pyrus, Sorbus, and Ribes varieties in this collection will fruit outdoors year-round with no protection.

Which fruit seeds are easiest to grow from seed for beginners?

Black currant (Ribes nigrum) and gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) germinate reliably at room temperature with no stratification needed and typically fruit in 2–3 years. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) also germinates well after 12–16 weeks cold stratification. Apple (Malus domestica) responds to 6–8 weeks at 4°C and sprouts readily at 18–20°C.

How long does it take for fruit trees to produce fruit when grown from seed?

Fast-fruiting species include hawthorn (Crataegus) at 5–7 years and cherry (Prunus avium) at 4–6 years from seed. Apple trees require 8–12 years. Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) may fruit in 6–8 years. Note that seed-grown trees do not produce clones of the parent — expect variation in fruit size and flavor, which is part of the appeal for collectors.

Can fruit trees be grown permanently in pots or containers?

Several species in this collection suit container growing long-term. Virginia persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) stays compact in a 40–60 litre pot. Citrus and pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit reliably indoors or on a sheltered patio. Dwarf apple varieties from Malus can be maintained in containers with annual root pruning. Most Prunus species grow too large for permanent container culture.

Why buy fruit seeds from Oreshka Seeds instead of a local nursery?

Oreshka Seeds sources from original growing regions: Manchurian apricot and Nanking cherry from the Russian Far East, hawthorn from Siberia and the Caucasus, pawpaw (Asimina triloba) from North America. Local nurseries rarely stock more than 5–10 fruit species from seed. The collection covers 166 unique seed-grown varieties, including species unavailable commercially in Europe — cloudberry, multiple hawthorn species, and cold-hardy persimmon.

Back

Seeds of Wintergreen Barberry (Berberis julianae) — 20 pcs

Oreshka seeds

P99

€

5,00

€

8,33

Chinese barberry, Wintergreen barberry, Barberry (lat. Berberis julianae)

An evergreen shrub 0.5–2 m (in the range up to 3–4 m) in height, straightened in shape with a very dense, densely branched, almost spherical crown. The branches are erect, grayish-yellow, and with age the branches hang down in an arched manner. The shoots are yellowish, ribbed, and not pubescent when young. Spines 1-3 cm long, tripartite, powerful, hard.

Leaves are simple, entire, 3-10 cm long, about 2.5 cm wide, oval-lanceolate or obovate-lanceolate, obtuse or briefly pointed, densely serrate, with 12-20 small, spiny-spiny teeth on each side, glabrous, hard, leathery, dark green above, glossy, fawn and slightly shiny below.

The root system consists of a powerful, weakly branched and widely spread main root.

The flowers are 1 cm in diameter, yellow, sometimes reddish on the outside, collected in few-flowered bunches. Pedicels up to 1.5 cm long. Blooms in June.

The fruits are 0.8-0.9 cm long, oblong, blue-black, with a dense white waxy coating, with a short style.

Not whimsical. Grows well in dry and sandy soil. Prefers acidic or slightly alkaline soil. Does not tolerate stagnant water.

It is better to choose a place for planting that is sunny or in partial shade. The shrub is quite wind-resistant, but it is better to protect it from cold winds. Tolerates urban conditions well.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 (-23°C to -18°C).