Salmonberry: Planting & Care Tips

The salmonberry is something very special. We have put together everything you need to know, from planting to caring for the magnificent raspberry.

At the salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) is a perennial member of the rose family (Rosaceae). It belongs to the same genus as the regular raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and is perhaps more familiar to some of us as a magnificent raspberry. The relatives are largely similar in care, propagation and processing. However, the magnificent raspberry trumps with varieties whose flowers are reminiscent of the seductive beauty of the English rose. Therefore, it is also known as the raspberry rose. But the magnificent raspberry not only cuts a fine figure as an ornamental plant, but also convinces with its sweet, juicy fruits in early summer.

Salmonberry: origin and history

The salmonberry is native to the Northwest of the USA. There it was already collected and used by the indigenous peoples in the wild. The fruit of the raspberry ripens each year for the arrival of the salmon in the Columbia River Estuary. Therefore, the tasty berry was traditionally prepared with salmon roe (i.e. the fish eggs). The name "salmonberry" did not come about because of the color of the fruit or blossom, but goes back to this tradition. Not only because the impressive natural spectacle of the salmon migration does not take place in this country, but also due to new cultivars with beautifully filled flowers, over time the name "splendid raspberry" developed.

Varieties of salmonberries: the most popular and delicious varieties

Since the salmon berry is a rarer specialty for lovers, essentially only two popular varieties have established themselves in German-speaking countries. In comparison to Varieties of the classic raspberry that seems almost ridiculous. However, both variants impress with their yellow-orange to bright red and sweet fruits. They also form root and shoot stolons for vegetative reproduction.
The plants are absolutely hardy and suitable for cultivation in large tubs.

'Olympic Doubles': This variety seems to be responsible for the origin of the name "raspberry rose" because their large, double flowers are pink and evoke the association with the magnificent English roses. The fruits of the 'Olympic Double' ripen a little later than those of the 'Pacific Rose'. From the beginning of July you can harvest the first ripe fruits. Since the expansive flowers make pollination more difficult, the harvest is usually not as plentiful as with the Pacific variety. Due to its shrub-like growth pattern, it can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters.

'Pacific Rose': Of the two cultivars, this one is probably closer to the original appearance of the original American salmonberry. In addition, it is free of sharp spines and thus ensures joy when planting and caring for it. Its relatively small, chic, pink flower impresses with its color intensity and bears the first ripe fruit as early as mid-June; it grows upright and reaches heights of 1.5 to 2 meters despite its bushy growth and the formation of runners.

Buy salmonberries

In order to be able to enjoy vital, magnificent raspberries in the long term, you should make sure that you buy your young plants from established horticultural companies. Expert gardeners make sure that only young plants that are free of viruses and fungi are offered for sale. When buying, it is best to check the plants for visible injuries. Such weak points in the plant body make it easier for the corresponding germs to enter the plant tissue. Also, always take a critical look at the root system: the roots should be vital and richly branched. It is better to stay away from plants with a rather muddy and somewhat moldy root ball - the risk of life-threatening root fungi is too great here.

Plant Salmonberry

In terms of planting, there are few differences between the normal raspberry and the salmonberry. While the well-known raspberries are usually cultivated on a trellis, the magnificent raspberry does not require any support. Depending on whether spreading is desired, a root barrier should be worked in to prevent and control unwanted spreading in the garden.

Salmonberry: location and claims

Like its close relatives, the salmonberry also prefers a humus-rich, deeply loosened and therefore well-aerated soil. Although the salmonberries originally grew primarily in partially shaded forest clearings, the im The cultivars available from specialist retailers form their particularly juicy fruits in sunny locations with good water supply.

However, locations should preferably be chosen where no other rose plants have grown immediately before. Because this could reduce your enjoyment of the new garden dweller through lower yields or increased disease infestation. If you have little space available, you can also plant the magnificent raspberry in large tubs.

Planting salmonberries: when and how to do it

So that you can enjoy fresh fruit in the following summer, you should plant the young plants in deeply loosened soil in autumn. It is advisable to use a spade to deepen the soil around the planting hole about 30 centimeters excavate to loosen the soil around the root ball and allow the roots to grow in facilitate. This should be replaced by a high-quality soil such as our peat-free Plantura Organic tomato & vegetable soil be replaced, which also optimally supplies berries with nutrients.

Finally, the root ball of the young magnificent raspberry is placed in the planting hole and gently pressed so that the roots grow well, but no waterlogging occurs due to over-compacted soil forms.

tip: Don't plant the salmon raspberry too deep so that it doesn't get caught at the base of the tail Possibly too moist soil sinks - so you can reduce the risk of infestation with the general case dreaded raspberries tail disease to decrease.

Propagate Salmonberry

A generative propagation of the salmonberry by seeds is expensive and not particularly promising. The possibilities of vegetative propagation, on the other hand, are as numerous as they are simple.

Propagate salmonberries by sinkers

Probably the simplest and most gentle method of propagating salmonberries is using sinkers. After all, raspberry plants themselves use this mechanism in the wild to spread. To encourage the process, a living salmonberry shoot is bent towards the surface of the earth. The tip of the shoot should always be above the surface of the ground, the shoot is dug into the ground at one point and fixed in such a way that it also remains below the surface of the ground. After a few weeks, the shoot will form its first roots and soon the shoot can be separated between the original plant and the new roots. Now the new plant is able to take care of itself through its own roots.

Propagate salmonberries by root cuttings or division of sticks

Has your salmonberry already reached a stately size? Then you can split the rootstock between the rods with a well-aimed cutting of the spade. But sometimes you still need the help of garden shears. Once you have divided your plant, you can plant one specimen in a new bed or container. If you would like more salmonberries, you can use the pruning shears to cut the roots of your plant into Cut pieces about 5 centimeters long and place them in fresh compost at the desired location set. Soon a new plant will also sprout from these root cuttings.

Propagate salmonberries with sticks

Similar to roses, the salmonberry can also be propagated via shoot parts. This method is recommended for October, when the plants begin to gradually hibernate. To do this, cut healthy, straight rods into 10 to 20 centimeter long pieces, each with four buds. Then stick them vertically in potting soil so that two buds on each shoot are covered with soil. Root formation begins in the spring. Nevertheless, the nascent plants should not be disturbed until the following fall.

Cultivate Salmonberry

The salmonberry is generally a robust, hardy plant. It grows between 1.5 and 2 meters high and does not require any scaffolding due to its stability. Root runners (rhizomes) allow salmonberries to spread widely underground and grow up again elsewhere. However, this can be prevented by root blocks.

pour salmonberry

In hot summers with persistent heat and little rainfall, the magnificent raspberry should be watered daily depending on the soil conditions - preferably in the evening or early in the morning. Although it prefers a certain amount of moisture in the soil, it also tolerates short periods of drought. However, you should avoid waterlogging. Therefore, the following applies: on sandy soil and when growing in pots, you should use the watering can more often than in the case when the splendor raspberry roots in loamy or especially clayey soils beats.

Fertilize salmonberry

If you would like to supply your salmon berries with specially produced fertilizers, natural fertilization with mulch, manure, compost or nettle manure is recommended. After the fruits have ripened, fertilization should take place in the fall. To do this, spread a thin layer of mulch around the plants. This not only ensures a sufficient supply of nutrients until spring, but also improves the microclimate of the earth. Of course, the same procedure also applies to fertilizing with organic fertilizers, such as ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer. Organic fertilizers from specialist retailers slowly release the nutrients, favor and promote soil life and can be produced in a more resource-saving manner than mineral fertilizers. With the latter variant, there is also a risk of over-fertilization and over-fertilization if handled incorrectly unintentional leaching of nutrients into the groundwater - and that's really not where they should go.

Cut salmon berries

A pruning of the magnificent raspberry is not absolutely necessary, but it can increase the crop yield. To do this, remove worn rods close to the ground in autumn with scissors. Younger shoots can be shortened if necessary to stimulate flowering. Please note, however, that the salmonberry also bears fruit on perennial shoots.

Salmonberry: Common Diseases and Pests

Diseases and pests usually play no role in the magnificent raspberry. In particular, germ-free bred and purchased varieties from specialist dealers are very robust and largely resistant to diseases. Every now and then, however, the fungal disease gray mold (Bortrytis cinerea) occur on the shoot or on the fruit. At the raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus) is a pest known from raspberry cultivation. This occasionally lays its eggs in the flowers of the salmonberry, where they grow into small maggots in the ripe fruit.

Salmonberry: ingredients and recipes

Due to its healing properties, the salmonberry was used medicinally by the indigenous peoples of North America. Its root bark is said to have an analgesic and calming effect. In addition, the fruits of the magnificent raspberry contain high concentrations of vitamins C, K and manganese. They can be eaten raw or made into a delicious jam, jelly or fruit wine. Of course, you can also prepare them with salmon roe, in the traditional way.