Unique Fruits to Grow in the Pacific Northwest
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Pacific Northwest is known for its ability to grow an abundance of unique fruit crops beyond the familiar favourites. Here lies a world of unusual and often overlooked fruits that thrive just as well in our temperate coastal climate.
If you’re ready to diversify your garden, attract pollinators, and surprise your taste buds, here are some unique fruits to grow in the PNW, each with its own charm, flavour, and ecological value.
Chilean Guava (Ugni molinae)
Small but mighty, Chilean guava which is also sometimes called strawberry myrtle, is a fragrant evergreen shrub that looks as good as it tastes. Its tiny pink-white flowers give way to glossy, ruby-red berries with a flavour like wild strawberries mixed with spice. Personally, I think they taste more like a Skittles candy.
Why it’s worth growing: Evergreen leaves add year-round beauty, the berries ripen in late fall when most fruits are long gone, they're perfect for coastal climates zones 8–9 and are tolerant of light frost.
Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
Hardy kiwi produces clusters of smooth, grape-sized fruit that can be eaten skin and all. They ripen in early to mid-fall, offering a tropical flavor that thrives even in cooler PNW microclimates.
Why it’s worth growing: High in vitamin C and antioxidants, it climbs beautifully on trellises and arbours. The cultivar 'Issai' is a reliable self-fertile variety and 'Anna' (Ananasnaya) is known to be especially sweet. Give them a sturdy structure and full sun, and they’ll reward you for decades.
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
This resilient nitrogen-fixing shrub bears tiny, speckled red berries that ripen in late summer and early fall. The fruit is tart, tangy, and incredibly high in lycopene (even more than tomatoes).
Why it's worth growing: Fixes nitrogen and enriches the surrounding soil. It attracts pollinators and birds as it bears heavy crops even in poor or dry soils.
Note: Autumn olive can be invasive in some regions. Choose non-invasive or improved cultivars like ‘Amber’ or ‘Ruby’ and harvest berries before they fall.
Medlar (Mespilus germanica)
Medlars are ancient fruits once cherished in medieval Europe, now making a quiet comeback among heritage orchard lovers. They ripen very late, often after the first frost, and are picked hard, then left to “blet” (soften) indoors until the flesh turns spiced, sweet, and custard-like.
Why it's worth growing: Late-season fruit for December treats that grows on a compact, ornamental tree with beautiful spring blossoms. Has a very unique flavour, like spiced applesauce meets dates. Try ‘Nottingham’ for dependable harvests and rich flavour.
Goumi Berry (Elaeagnus multiflora)
A close cousin of autumn olive, goumi is a tough, attractive shrub that offers earlierfruit and is often considered a more garden-friendly alternative. The bright red berries have a sweet-tart flavor and ripen in late spring to early summer. They are also an absloute favorite of birds if you want to share!
Why it's worth growing: Early-bearing - often within 3 years, has beautiful silvery leaves and fragrant flowers, nitrogen-fixing and beneficial to soil health. A wonderful addition to hedgerows and food forests.
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
If you’re after superfoods with visual punch, look no further than sea buckthorn. Its bright orange berries are loaded with vitamins and omega fatty acids. The plant itself is tough, drought-tolerant, and great for stabilizing slopes or poor soils. A personal favourite!
Why it's worth growing: Exceptionally nutritious fruit that is hardy down to Zone 3 and is benificial for supporting pollinators and wildlife.
Note: You’ll need both a male and female plant for fruit, and the thorns make pruning an adventure but the rewards are worth it.
Maypop (Passiflora incarnata)
The hardy variety known as Maypop will grow in the PNW, as long as it's grown in a warm microclimate. It will die back in winter, then returns from the roots each spring to produce fragrant flowers and edible, egg-sized fruits in late summer.
Why it's worth growing: Hardy to Zone 6, adds a tropical flair to the garden and attracts pollinators and hummingbirds.
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
A true North American native, pawpaw is the largest edible fruit indigenous to this continent. It grows surprisingly well in the PNW with a bit of heat and patience. The custard-like fruit tastes like banana and mango.
Why it's worth growing: Delicious tropical flavour from a hardy deciduous tree with beautiful, large leaves and yellow fall colour. Ideal for food forests as it tolerates partial shade.
Note: You’ll need two trees for pollination, and patience as they can take a few years to start fruiting.
Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa)
Also known as chokeberry, aronia is a superfruit packed with antioxidants. The berries are tart when fresh but make outstanding jams, syrups, and juices.
Why it's worth growing: Thrives in wet or poor soils. and attracts numerous birds and pollinators.
Aronia fits beautifully into rain gardens or native-inspired landscapes.