Lycium barbarum – GOJI BERRY

Also known as the wolfberry, Duke of Argylls Tea Tree. One of several boxthorns of the nighshade family known for its highly nutritious properties and used in Chinese medicine. Bright orange red fruit. Flowers June, fruit maturing in Sept-Oct. ht 3m x 4m or more. Likes full sun

Originating from the Himalayas and now recognised hailed as a super-food which can be used for boosting your immune system and cleansing impurities, the berries of this plant are said to be very high in vitamin C and iron. This is a fast and easy to grow shrub, which produces white and purple, trumpet shaped flowers in early summer. These are followed by shiny red berries, which can either be eaten straight off the bush, or dried and eaten like sweet, mildly licorice flavoured treats later on. It can also be grown in a good sized tub on a sunny patio, provided it is kept well fed and watered. They like to be well established before they start to produce fruit though, so it will usually take around 2 or 3 years to produce its first crop.