Photo: pfly, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Salmonberry: when and how to prune
Rubus spectabilis
Salmonberry is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in July–August |
| Flowering | March–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Salmonberry: when to prune it?
After picking the berries, in July–August.
Salmonberry: how to prune it?
- Each year, remove a few of the oldest, least flowering stems at ground level.
- Cut out dead and damaged stems.
- Remove suckers outside the space where it may grow, preferably with their roots.
- Do not trim the whole outside of the shrub: this keeps the flowering side shoots.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in July–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.
- 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: It flowers on stems from last year and older: if you cut everything short in winter, you will have no flowers or berries the following year. Wear gloves because of the prickles.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Salmonberry · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.