The loganberry is a relatively unknown hybrid of two native species. Here you can find out everything about planting and caring for this exotic plant.
The loganberry (Rubus × loganobaccus) is an accidental interspecific hybrid of raspberry ( Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus sectio Rubus), which is rather unknown in this country, but is growing in size in the USA enjoyed popularity. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the history of loganberries, planting and propagation and, of course, proper care.
Loganberry: Origin and History
The loganberry came about quite by accident in the 19th century in the garden of Californian judge and gardener James Harvey Logan, when he was trying to grow a new type of blackberry. However, he didn't notice the raspberry planted right next door, which happened to cross with the blackberry (Rubus sectio Rubus). When planting it out, Logan realized that it had to be an interspecies hybrid as the new berry had both blackberry and raspberry characteristics. Growth and fruit size were similar to blackberries, but color and appearance of the fruit were very similar to raspberries. Thus the loganberry was born. Initially, this was still quite unknown, but soon it became more and more popular both in commercial production and among hobby gardeners. Because it is not only rich in vitamins and tasty, but also more robust and resilient than conventional raspberry and blackberry varieties.
Loganberry: Properties & Similar Species
Below we have put together a small overview of the properties of the loganberry and similar species.
Loganberry (Rubus × loganobaccus): Loganberries are on the one hand robust to frost and drought and disease-resistant, but on the other hand prickly and extremely vigorous, which can make the harvest significantly more difficult. The taste profile is a combination of raspberry and blackberry, which is pleasantly mild and tasty.
Tayberry (Rubus fruticosus x Rubus idaeus): The Tayberry, also a hybrid made of blackberry and raspberry, comes from Scotland and makes hardly any demands on the soil, but is prone to waterlogging. The berries are oblong, dark red and have a sweet and sour taste that is most reminiscent of a raspberry. For more information on the tayberry, see this special article.
Youngberry (Rubus caesius 'Youngberry'): The youngberry is also a hybrid of blackberry and raspberry and thus a close relative of the loganberry. The berries are juicy, fleshy and very sweet, but have the disadvantage that they can only be stored for three to four days.
Buy Loganberry
You can find loganberries and their related species everywhere on the internet, but due to the significant gain in popularity, most likely also at your trusted gardener or tree nursery. When buying, you should make sure that the planting material comes from a region with a similar or the same climate, which ensures good adaptability to your garden. It is also important that - if possible - you get he althy seedlings that have been tested for bacteria and viruses. Look out for the new, still white roots of the berries on the edge of the pot. If these are visible, the plant has the best prerequisites for growing quickly.
Plant Loganberry
The loganberry not only resembles its two relatives, raspberry and blackberry, in terms of appearance, but also in terms of location, requirements and planting. Of course, you will still receive detailed instructions for planting the loganberry below.
Loganberry: Location and Claims
The loganberry makes very few demands on the respective location. It is important to note here that the plant is not in the blazing sun. It prefers rather sunny to semi-shady locations. If the plant is completely in the shade, a loss of yield is to be expected, but this does not harm the plant itself. The soil should be dry to fresh. Good aeration and a high humus content are important here to ensure maximum yield and he althy plant growth.
Planting loganberries: when and how to do it
Loganberries can theoretically be planted all year round, as long as the temperatures don't drop below freezing. The best season for theHowever, planting is in autumn, as the roots can develop well over the winter months.
But now to practice: Find a sunny to partially shaded location and dig a hole that is about 5 to 10 cm larger than your pot on each side. Loosen up the soil - our Plantura organic tomato and vegetable soil is particularly suitable as a substrate. This is not only ideal for vegetables, but also for berries.
If you have heavy loamy or clayey soil, it is advisable to loosen it up with some sand or gravel. Put in the berry bush and fill in the rest with the mixed soil. Now press the fresh soil loosely and water the bushes properly. When planting, also keep a distance of about two meters between the individual shrubs, as they are extremely vigorous.
Summary: Planting Loganberries
- Dig hole
- Mix, loosen and enrich soil
- Insert berry bush
- Fill up with mixed soil
- Water thoroughly
Tip: A wall or a wire frame (trellis) is best suited as a framework for berry bushes of all kinds, as it is important to tie in the tendrils once a year. But you can find out more about that later in the article.
Propagate Loganberry
The easiest way to propagate the loganberry is to pull layerers. In spring or late autumn, find the tip of a long tendril, carefully bend it down to the ground and bury part of the tendril in the ground. But beware: the tip of the shoot must still protrude from the ground. The sinker will take root by autumn or winter and can be easily separated from the mother plant. This can now be replanted anywhere.
Care for Loganberry
Caring for the loganberry is relatively easy and takes little time due to its rosy nature and disease resistance. Now, here's more on how to keep your berries happy.
Water Loganberry
The loganberry is extremely robust and only needs to be watered in exceptional cases and in very dry locations. Too much water, especially in heavy soils like loam or clay, could create waterlogging, which can lead to root death.
Loganberryfertilize
The best time to fertilize loganberries is in the fall after harvest and in the spring before budding. Bark mulch is best suited here in combination with our Plantura organic universal fertilizer, which has the decisive advantage of ensuring a long-term effect and can therefore optimally supply the plant with nutrients.
Cut Loganberry
Since the loganberry is extremely vigorous and the tendrils can grow up to five meters in length in a year, it is important to cut them regularly. Therefore, thin out the vines a little during the growing season to create a well-aerated canopy.
It is best to cut off the approximately two-year-old tendrils or all diseased and stunted tendrils after harvesting above the ground. Dispose of them immediately to prevent diseases and pests. It is important that you do not throw the diseased plant material on the compost, otherwise the pathogen can spread. If you should have forgotten the cut, it is still possible to make up for it by the end of February. The young shoots can be tied to the wire frame immediately afterwards. The wire frame enables upright and even growth, which in turn makes all work steps easier.
Loganberry: Common Diseases and Pests
The berry bushes are normally extremely robust and he althy. However, the appearance of aphids, blackberry rust and gall mites can still occur when the plants are weakened. One of the main enemies of fruit crops is the gray rot fungus (Botrytis), which appears in the foliage and spreads to the tendrils when moisture accumulates. If your plant is infested, cut out the affected tendrils generously and discard the deadwood.
More detailed information on the care and prevention of diseases in berry bushes can be found here.
Loganberry: Ingredients and Recipe
Loganberries are juicy, sweet and have a high content of vitamin C and trace elements such as calcium and phosphorus. These ingredients are important for the he alth of skin, teeth and bones. In addition, vitamin C inhibits free radicals, which can damage the cell. Just like vitamin C, anthocyanins, the plant pigments they contain, have a cell-protecting effectradical inhibiting. These properties make the berries a popular "superfood".
The loganberries are versatile: They are suitable for direct consumption, as a cake topping, cooked into jam, stirred into yoghurt or processed into ice cream. Simply use the loganberry as a substitute for raspberries and blackberries in conventional recipes to give them a special touch. Here we present you our favorite loganberry recipe:
Poppy seed cake with loganberry cream
- 120 g butter
- 60 g sugar
- 5 Eggs
- 120 g sugar
- 90 g grated nuts
- 1 - 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 190 g poppy seeds (grated)
- 2 pinches of baking powder
- Rum
Stir the butter, sugar and egg yolk until fluffy and then add the vanilla sugar, baking powder, flour, poppy seeds, a pinch of s alt and rum. Mix well. Beat the egg whites and carefully fold in the nuts. Finally stir the two masses together and bake in a buttered, floured baking tin at 180 °C for approx. 30 minutes.
If you are interested in other special berry varieties, you should definitely take a look at this article here.