Christmasberry (Lycium carolinianum)

Native to the southeastern U.S., Christmasberry is a woody evergreen shrub with beautiful foliage and uniquely shaped fruit that is aesthetically pleasing all year long, with its small-textured leaves, blue to lavender flowers during summer, and vibrant, half-inch red berries in the wintertime. The succulent berries contain a range of vitamins and minerals, yet only the fully-ripened ones are edible. The flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and the berries are an important food for wildlife.

Christmasberry is a member of the nightshade family and, if you couldn't already tell from the unique look of the fruit, it's a very close relative of Goji berry. When mature, the ruby-hued fruit is sweet, nourishing, and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids. It can be consumed fresh, dried, or utilized in desserts, smoothies, teas, ciders, and wine. Dried berries are often featured in Christmas decorations, and its branches can be made into holiday wreaths.

We found Christmasberry plants growing wild on the rocky, sandy coasts of western Florida but it can be cultivated in many types of well-draining soils and growing conditions. This tough species can withstand both salt spray and droughts and is known to thrive in USDA Zones 8-11.