The salmonberry is something very special. We have put together everything you need to know, from planting to caring for the magnificent raspberry.
The salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) is a perennial plant of the rose family (Rosaceae). It belongs to the same genus as the normal raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and is perhaps more familiar to some of us as the 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 northwestern United States. 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 occur in this country, but also because of new varieties with beautifully double flowers, the name "splendid raspberry" came about over time.
Salmonberry varieties: The most popular and delicious varieties
Since salmon berries are a rarer speci alty for lovers, essentially only two popular varieties have become established in German-speaking countries. Compared to the variety of varieties of the classic raspberry, that seems almost ridiculous. However, both variants impress with their yellow-orange to bright red and sweet fruits. For vegetative reproduction, they also form root andShoot runners.
The plants are absolutely hardy and suitable for cultivation in large tubs.
'Olympic Double': This variety seems to be responsible for the origin of the term "raspberry rose" because its 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 habit 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 - here the risk of life-threatening root fungi is too great.
Plant Salmonberry
In terms of planting, there are few differences between the regular 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 prefersa humus-rich, deeply loosened and therefore well-aerated soil. Although the salmonberries originally grew primarily in partially shaded forest clearings, the cultivars available in specialist shops form their particularly juicy fruits in sunny locations with a good water supply.
However, locations should preferably be chosen where no other rose plants have grown directly before. Because this could reduce your enjoyment of the new garden dweller through lower yields or increased disease infestation. If you don't have much space, 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 dig out the soil around the planting hole about 30 centimeters deep in order to loosen the soil around the root ball and make it easier for the roots to grow in. This should be replaced with a high-quality soil such as our peat-free Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil, which also optimally supplies berries with nutrients.
Finally, the root ball of the young magnificent raspberry is placed in the planting hole and pressed lightly so that the roots grow well, but no waterlogging occurs due to overly compacted soil.
Tip: Don't plant the salmon raspberry too deep so that it doesn't sink into the possibly too wet soil at the base of the rods - this way you can reduce the risk of an infestation with the reduce the tail disease commonly feared in raspberries.
Propagate Salmonberry
Generative propagation of the salmonberry by seeds is laborious and not particularly promising. The possibilities of vegetative propagation, on the other hand, are as numerous as they are simple.
Propagating salmon berries by lowering
Probably the simplest and most gentle method of propagating salmonberries is using sinkers. In the wild, raspberry plants use this mechanism themselves 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 will be at aBuried in the ground and fixed in such a way that it also remains below the surface of the earth. 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 feed itself through its own roots.
Propagate salmonberries by root cuttings or division of sticks
Has your salmonberry grown to an impressive 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 garden shears to cut the roots of your plant into pieces about 5 centimeters long and place them in fresh compost at the desired location. Soon a new plant will also sprout from these root cuttings.
Propagating 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 he althy, 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. However, the nascent plants should not be disturbed until the following fall.
Care for salmonberry
In general, the salmonberry is 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 locks.
Water salmon berry
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 magnificent raspberry is in loamy orparticularly clayey soils.
Fertilize Salmonberry
If you would like to supply your salmon berries with specially produced fertilizers, natural fertilization with mulch, stable 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 our 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, if handled incorrectly, there is also a risk of over-fertilization and unintentional leaching of nutrients into the groundwater - and they really shouldn't be there.
Cut Salmon Berry
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 will also bear fruit on perennial shoots.
Salmonberry: Common Diseases and Pests
Diseases and pests usually do not play a 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) can appear on the shoot or on the fruit. 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.
Salmon Berry: Ingredients and Recipes
Because of 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 enjoyed raw or with a delicious jam, jelly orfruit wine are processed. Of course you can also prepare them - very traditionally - with salmon roe.