How to Grow Salmonberry Plants

Plant salmonberry in full shade or part shade, preferably where the soil remains damp most of the year. Salmonberry can grow in full sun but will require frequent watering to keep the soil consistently damp.

Plant salmonberry from starts or cuttings. Look for salmonberry starts at native plant nurseries. If you have access to a salmonberry patch, you can start your own from cuttings. Look for branches that droop over and touch the ground. These usually root on their own. Cut the rooted branch away from the main shrub. Dig out a clump of soil around the newly forming roots to avoid disturbing them.

Plant the cuttings or starts anytime during the growing season between spring and fall. In areas with mild winters, you can plant year-round. Dig the hole slightly larger than the soil around the roots or the nursery pot.

Slide the salmonberry out of the nursery pot and place it into the hole. When planting from cuttings, place the roots and 1 to 2 inches of the stem under the soil. Refill the hole and pat it down.

Water salmonberry after planting, even if the soil is already damp. This will settle the soil around the roots to eliminate air pockets.

Water salmonberry regularly in dry weather to keep the soil consistently moist around the roots.

Harvest the berries as they ripen in late summer. Salmonberries don't keep very well, so eat them up right away. You can also harvest the fresh green shoots in spring. Peel the shoots and cook them up with other spring vegetables.

Prune back the fruiting canes after you harvest the berries. Use sharp shears to take out up to 1/3 of the canes at the soil line. This encourages new, vigorous growth and helps keep salmonberry shrubs under control.