Berries are a great asset to the garden in the autumn, providing colour through the winter and gaulnettya is one of the best. There are three berry colours - white, pink and red, the different varieties all being grown in the same manner.

The gaulnettya mucronata varieties are all female and need a male variety to produce the berries. One male plant can typically produce enough pollen from its white flowers to make a great display of berries on two female plants, but the male never produces berries.

Gaulnettya are very easy to grow, give the plant a light trim in the autumn as the berries are forming to remove some of the new growth and make the berries easier to see. The evergreen foliage does not usually become damaged by frosts so the small glossy green leaves look fresh all year round.

They can easily be maintained in size to around 60cm (2 ft) and grow best in slightly acidic soil that does not waterlog. They can grow in full sun or partial shade.

Consider planting with conifers, rhododendrons or heathers to make a great border.