Native plants that produce fruit can be a good choice for East Texas gardeners, especially when summer heat and dry weather make growing conditions difficult.

Ed Donnelly, owner of Sorelle Farms, shared some of his favorites during the Wood County Master Gardeners’ Lunch and Learn program Thursday, Oct. 22, at First Assembly of God Church in Quitman.

Donnelly discussed a variety of native trees, shrubs and vines that produce edible fruit while also providing food and habitat for wildlife.

“We live in a great area because we can grow a lot of stuff here,” Donnelly said.

The problem, he joked, is the bugs, diseases and unpredictable weather that come with gardening in East Texas.

Among the plants he discussed were dewberries, mayhaws, muscadines, mulberries, persimmons, elderberries, native plums, pawpaws and agarita.

Mayhaws, which are often found growing in wet or swampy areas, are especially popular for making jelly. Donnelly said they can also grow in well-drained soil and make a good addition to a home landscape.

Muscadines are another option. The native grapes handle heat and dry conditions well and can be used for jams, jellies and wine.

Donnelly recommended keeping muscadine vines pruned to about 20 feet across rather than allowing them to spread 40 to 50 feet. He said the shorter vines can produce about the same amount of fruit while taking up considerably less space.

He also discussed native red mulberries, which grow quickly, provide shade and produce plenty of fruit. However, he cautioned against planting them near driveways or patios because the falling berries can leave stains.

One plant that has become particularly popular at his nursery is the pawpaw, which produces a fruit with a tropical flavor resembling banana, mango and pineapple.

“They are going to be a plant that’s going to test your patience a little bit because they are slow growing,” Donnelly said.

Young pawpaw trees need plenty of shade, and gardeners must plant two different varieties for cross-pollination. Donnelly said some of his trees have been in the ground for three years and are still relatively small.

He also introduced attendees to agarita, an evergreen shrub with sharp, holly-like leaves and small berries that can be used to make jelly. Donnelly said the thorny plant makes a good natural barrier for anyone looking to screen a property from a road or neighboring land.

Several of the plants he discussed, including persimmons and mayhaws, can also be grown as hedges, giving property owners an alternative to traditional landscape shrubs.

Donnelly reminded attendees that even native plants need attention when first planted. He recommended adding compost to the soil, fertilizing regularly and having a watering plan, particularly during the first year or two. Mulching around newly planted trees and shrubs is also important.

He suggested the time to properly establish plants can make a creating a mulch circle several feet wide, keeping the mulch thin near the trunk and deeper farther out to help hold moisture in the soil. Donnelly said taking considerable difference in their long-term growth and survival.

Thursday’s program was the final Lunch and Learn of the year. Master Gardeners encouraged attendees to suggest topics for next year’s programs as the group begins planning its 2027 schedule.