Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Fruit plant
Loganberry: when and how to prune
Rubus × loganobaccus
Loganberry is best pruned in March and August–September.
| Pruning months | March and August–September |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March and August |
| Flowering | May–June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Loganberry: when to prune it?
After harvest, in August–September. A small tidy-up follows in March.
What else to prune in those months? March · August · September
Loganberry: how to prune it?
- After harvest, cut all canes that have fruited down to the ground.
- Choose 6–8 strong new canes, tie them in to the wires in a fan and remove the rest.
- During summer, train the new canes up the centre or along one side, so they stay separate from the fruiting canes.
- In March, cut back frosted or dead tips to healthy wood.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and August–September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March and August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Loganberry flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Wear strong gloves with prickly forms. Never cut out this year’s new canes: they will carry next year’s fruit.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Loganberry · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.