Loganberry Bushes

Growth Habit

• Loganberry shrubs have an aggressive growth habit and grow to a mature height of 6 to 10 feet. The plant has a fast growth rate. The canes that do not have any thorns have raspberry-bushlike soft, fine spines. The dense foliage is dark green and coarse textured and the white flowers bloom in spring. Loganberry bushes start to produce fruit after 15 years and are self fertile. A healthy bush produces 15 to 17 lbs. fruit per season.

Fruit

• The large-sized fruit closely resembles blackberries and has a deep red color. Raw fruit tends to retain a white core like blackberries and is not full flavored. The most used, standard variety of loganberry, LY654, is dark red and juicy with a slight tinge of acidic flavor. LY654 grows on spineless bushes and is ready to harvest earlier than blackberries, between the middle of summer and early fall. All the fruit on a loganberry bush does not ripen together but at intervals and has to be picked periodically.

Uses

• The nutritional content of loganberries is similar to that of blackberries. The fruit is used extensively in its cooked and stewed forms for jellies, jams and puddings. Loganberries are also eaten fresh and are made into juice. The fruit does not freeze well. Avoid using the shriveled or moldy berries and do not wash until ready to use.

Growth Requirements

• Plant the loganberry bush in an area of full sun. Select an area that it sheltered from high winds. It is easy to propagate loganberry bushes with cane tips. The plant grows best in a fertile and well-drained soil. Prune the bushes every year, reducing growth of each bush to about 10 canes. Well managed plants produce a good harvest for up to 15 years. Loganberry bushes have a greater frost and disease resistance than a variety of other berries.