5 Berry Bushes That Can Survive Harsh Winters, According to Experts These plants will make it through below-freezing temperatures. Close Credit: nitrub / Getty Images If you want to harvest fresh berries year after year, but you live in a region with cold winters, it's important to select a resilient variety that can withstand below-freezing temperatures. Fortunately, there are a few berry-producing bushes that are naturally cold-hardy and will continue to thrive even after a particularly harsh winter. From strawberries to chokecherries, our gardening experts say these berry bushes can make it through cold weather with ease. Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University and author of Plants Are Speaking. Are You Listening? Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate and former curator of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens at Plant Delights Nursery 14 Outdoor Plants That'll Survive All Winter Long 01 of 05 Black Chokecherry Credit: eugenesergeev / Getty Images Black chokecherry (Aronia melanocarpa) produces tart fruit that develops a sweet, complex flavor when it's cooked, making it a popular option for pies and jams. It's a suitable species for regions with harsh winters, as it is adaptable and resilient. "Black chokeberry can increase soluble sugars as it acclimates to colder weather," says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. "This allows the plant to tolerate lower freezing temperatures." 02 of 05 Blueberry Credit: mrs / getty Images Blueberry bushes (Vaccinium corymbosum) have adapted to withstand cold temperatures in more ways than one. "They convert their starches to sugars and produce cryoprotectants, which lower the freezing point of the plant's cells," says Langelo. These plants also have the unique feature of their woody tissues slowly dehydrating before freezing temperatures as protection against ice forming in the cells, she adds. But keep in mind blueberry bushes need a certain number of chilling hours after picking to prevent the buds from breaking dormancy prematurely, preventing freezing injury to the blueberry shrubs, Langelo says. 03 of 05 Strawberry Credit: SergeyZavalnyuk / Getty Images Growing strawberry plants (Fragaria ssp.) is a rewarding experience. "Most edible varieties are hardy to zones 5 to 9, some even colder with a thick layer of mulch," says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate. "This means, they will survive winter temperatures that reach from 20 to negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit." Mulch around the plant for added protection in harsh winters. Don't water strawberry plants during winter, as they do not tolerate winter moisture unless they are in a raised bed or container, Roethling notes. 04 of 05 Elderberry Credit: Donna Bollenbach / Getty Images Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a native plant that provides a food source for birds. The fruit is often found in syrups, jams, sauces, and wine. "Never consume the berries raw and never harvest berries along roadsides or near power cuts as plants risk being contaminated," says Roethling. These resilient plants can thrive in hardiness zones 3 to 9. They go dormant in winter, allowing them to withstand temperatures below freezing. Follow us to see more of our stories on Google. Follow Us On Google 05 of 05 Raspberry Credit: Andrey Abryutin / Getty Images Most edible forms of raspberries derive from two species that produce red or black fruits, says Roethling. Typically, varieties that produce red fruits are more resilient to cold weather than those that yield black fruits. "It is a hardy fruit-bearing shrub growing in zones 3 through 9, surviving in most of the continuous U.S.," says Roethling. "Plants can be pruned or trimmed to maintain size and shape, but do so right after fruiting." Explore more: Garden