The Best Wild Berries to Look for at This Time of Year • Schisandra & Bergamot

Late summer is one of the best times to head outdoors with a basket and an eye for wild berries. From forest edges to sunny trailsides, nature is bursting with flavorful, free-growing treats.

Whether you’re an experienced forager or a curious beginner, these wild berries are worth watching for—and many of them can be enjoyed fresh or preserved.

Blackberries

One of the most recognizable wild berries, blackberries are abundant in thickets and along sunny roadsides. Look for plump, dark fruits and mind the thorns when picking.

Elderberries

A cluster of small, dark purple berries hangs from red stems on a leafy green branch. — Photo Credit: YvonneHuijbens/Pixabay

These deep purple clusters ripen in late summer and are perfect for syrups and jellies. Just be sure to cook them—raw elderberries can be toxic.

Huckleberries

Close-up of branches with clusters of red and dark purple berries among green leaves, set against a blurred outdoor background. — Photo Credit: Tatiana6/Pixabay

Often found in mountainous regions, huckleberries resemble small blueberries with a tangy twist. They’re great in muffins or eaten by the handful.

Wineberries

A close-up view of a large pile of bright red raspberries, showing their detailed texture and clustered pattern. — Photo Credit: PlazacCameraman/Deposit Photos

Similar to raspberries but slightly more tart, wineberries grow in shady woodland edges. Their bright, jewel-like color makes them easy to spot.

Serviceberries (Juneberries)

Cluster of small, dark purple berries hanging from a branch with green leaves in the background. — Photo Credit: ghostpotato/Pixabay

Though they ripen earlier in some areas, serviceberries can still be found in late summer in cooler climates. They taste like a cross between blueberries and almonds.

Chokecherries

A branch with clusters of small, round red berries and elongated green leaves against a blurred background. — Photo Credit: JoshuaJCreative/Pixabay

These astringent berries are too tart to eat raw but excellent in jellies and sauces. Look for them on shrubs and small trees with long clusters of dark red to black fruit.

Hawthorn Berries

Cluster of small, round red berries with green leaves growing on a branch, photographed outdoors in natural light. — Photo Credit: manfredrichter/Pixabay

Found on thorny trees and shrubs, hawthorn berries are edible in small amounts and often used in herbal teas or preserves.

Mulberries

If you’re lucky enough to find a mulberry tree still fruiting, enjoy the sweet berries before the birds get them all. Watch your hands—they stain!

Thimbleberries

Unripe and partially ripe raspberries on a stem with green leaves, set against a blurred green background. — Photo Credit: MikeGoad/Pixabay

These soft, raspberry-like berries grow on fuzzy-leaved canes and are more fragile than other wild fruits—but the flavor is unmatched.

Gooseberries

Wild gooseberries can be red, green, or purple and have a tangy, almost tropical flavor. Be careful of thorns when harvesting!

There’s something special about gathering wild berries straight from nature—no store label, no plastic packaging, just fresh, seasonal goodness. As always, forage responsibly: know your plants, harvest sustainably, and leave enough for wildlife to enjoy too.