Add a burst of color and flavor to your garden with the Salmonberry, also known as the Russian Raspberry. Native to North America, this deciduous fruit shrub produces showy magenta-pink flowers in spring, followed by bright orange-red berries that resemble raspberries in shape and taste. The fruits are juicy and mildly sweet, perfect for fresh eating, jams, or desserts.
Rubus spectabilis is an easy-to-grow shrub that thrives in moist, well-drained soils and partial shade — ideal for woodland gardens, hedgerows, and native plant landscapes. It’s also an excellent pollinator plant, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds.
Features
- 🍓 Unique Wild Fruit: Produces orange-red, raspberry-like fruits with mild sweetness.
- 🌸 Vibrant Flowers: Bright pink-magenta blooms in early spring add ornamental value.
- 🌿 Adaptable Shrub: Grows well in sun or partial shade and tolerates moist soils.
- ❄️ Cold-Hardy: Thrives in USDA Zones 5–9.
- 🐝 Wildlife Friendly: Attracts pollinators and birds to your garden.
- 🌱 Non-GMO Seeds: Naturally sourced and untreated for reliable germination.
Specifications
- Common Name: Salmonberry / Russian Raspberry
- Scientific Name: Rubus spectabilis
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit shrub
- Zones: USDA 5–9
- Growth Habit: Upright to arching canes
- Height: 3–10 feet
- Spread: 4–8 feet
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rich soil
- Soil pH: 5.5–6.5
- Watering: Regular; prefers moist conditions
- Temperature Range: 40–80°F (4–27°C)
- Days to Germination: 30–90 days (requires cold stratification)
- Maturity: 2–3 years to fruiting
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Harvest Season: Late spring to summer
- Pollination: Self-fertile, but improved yields with multiple plants
- GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
- Uses: Edible berries, hedgerows, native landscaping, pollinator support
Planting Guide
- Cold Stratification: Mix seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 60–90 days before planting.
- Prepare Soil: Choose a location with moist, rich soil and partial sunlight.
- Sow Seeds: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in well-draining soil.
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist, not waterlogged.
- Light: Provide partial to full sun.
- Germination: Expect sprouts within 1–3 months.
- Transplanting: Move seedlings outdoors after last frost, spacing 4–6 feet apart.
- Mulching: Add organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilization: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- Harvest: Pick berries when bright orange-red and easily detach from stems.
Care Tips
- Prune canes annually after fruiting to encourage new growth.
- Protect young plants from extreme drought or frost.
- Salmonberries spread by rhizomes — allow room for natural growth or contain with barriers.
- Combine with native shrubs for a wildlife-friendly hedge.
- Use berries fresh, or preserve in jams, sauces, or desserts.
