How to Care for Salmonberry Bushes

Incorporate peat moss into the soil around the salmonberry bush. This shrub requires very well-drained soil, so adding peat or loamy clay into your soil can aid in the draining.

Water the soil whenever it becomes dry, but be careful not to overwater. The salmonberry thrives in a native landscape that is often continuously moist, so mimicking these conditions in your home garden can help the salmonberry maintain its health. As long as the soil drains well, continue to water regularly through the growing season.

Harvest the fruit when it becomes brightly orange or very deeply red. You can eat the fruit directly off the shrub, use it in recipes or preserve it. When you harvest the fruit, you can also harvest the leaves of the shrub, which can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes.

Prune older leaves and branches at the end of each growing season, especially because the salmonberry bush has a tendency to spread aggressively if not maintained. Trim throughout the year for aesthetic purposes, but always remember to remove sprawling branches and leaves in the fall.