GETTY This new fruit comes from a very familiar plant

Soft fruit was only bought in season and most of us stuck to growing the same tried and tested varieties of vegetables year after year. How things have changed. We now have the option of growing a vast array of new and often unusual fruit and veg that impart great health benefits alongside exceptional flavour and disease resistance. Many have from been sourced from around the globe and require similar growing conditions to those in the UK, while others come from plant-breeding programmes.

GETTY Even enthusiastic gardeners may be surprised to find these are edible

It’s encouraged us all to be more adventurous with the edibles we grow in our gardens and as a result the food we prepare is full of interesting and delicious flavours.

The berries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants but don’t have a long shelf life

One of the newest tasty fruits to appear in catalogues comes from a very familiar plant, one that we’ve been growing in our gardens for years, the humble fuchsia. It may come as a surprise that the large oval fruits that spill over the ground in late summer are edible. In fact all berries of fuchsias can be eaten, as can their flowers, although it’s only the inner most petals that are soft and sweet. It’s worth noting that just because they’re edible doesn’t always mean they taste good. It’s thought the blacker the berry, the sweeter the taste. Flavours vary from lemony, spicy, pomegranate and bitter to super sweet.

GETTY Certain varieties of fuchsia berries taste similar too figs or kiwis

The variety Fuchsia ‘Berry’ from Thompson & Morgan produces fruit with a flavour reminiscent of sweet figs and kiwis. The berries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants but don’t have a long shelf life so pick them when they are soft and squishy and eat fresh. Alternatively freeze small quantities as you collect them, until you have enough to make fuchsia jam or add to chocolate brownies and muffins.

GETTY The berries can be used to make jam