Salmonberry

Salmonberry is a native deciduous shrub of Western Washington's moist riparian zones and coastal forest edges, a vigorous multi-stemmed species with rose-pink to red flowers in spring and yellow to orange berries in summer. The stems are prickly and yellowish-green. The leaves are compound (three leaflets), with the terminal leaflet much larger than the lateral leaflets; the foliage is bright green and coarse. The flowers are rose-pink to red, about one inch across, and appear before the leaves fully emerge. The berries ripen yellow, amber, or orange and are edible, with a flavor between raspberry and blackberry. The plant reaches 6-10 feet and forms a dense, spreading, often impenetrable thicket.

In Western Washington, salmonberry is a useful native shrub for moist, riparian sites where its vigorous growth, early flowers, and edible berries provide multi-seasonal interest and wildlife value. The plant grows rapidly and spreads aggressively by rhizomes, creating dense thickets; this characteristic is valuable for erosion control and wildlife screens but requires management in gardens where you wish to control spread. The prickly stems protect the plant and provide security for nesting birds. The orange to yellow berries ripen in July-August and are highly valued by indigenous peoples and wildlife; home gardeners can harvest berries by reaching into the thicket carefully. Few pests or diseases seriously affect salmonberry. For riparian restoration, wildlife habitat, and erosion control, salmonberry is excellent; its aggressive growth, food production, and native origin make it a practical choice for large, wild areas. In smaller residential settings, the spreading, dense form requires either management or placement in areas where expansion is acceptable.