Rubus spectabilis, salmonberry
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Deciduous Shrubs

Rubus spectabilis

salmonberry

Rosaceae

Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon to California; moist stream banks, wetland edges, wet forest understories, and coastal forests

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-12 feet (1.2-3.7 m)
Width4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m); spreads widely by rhizome
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Hummingbirds
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

A tall, upright, colony-forming, deciduous shrub in the family Rosaceae, native to moist stream banks, wetland edges, wet forest understories, and coastal forests from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California. The specific epithet spectabilis means 'spectacular,' referring to the vivid magenta-pink flowers that cover the bare branches in late winter and early spring. Plants grow 4–12 feet (1.2–3.7 m) tall from spreading rhizomes, forming dense colonies. The stems bear sparse, scattered, hooked prickles and trifoliate compound leaves with three ovate, doubly serrated leaflets. Rubus spectabilis is dioecious — male and female flowers are on separate plants. From February through May, before or as the leaves emerge, the branches bear large, vivid magenta-pink (occasionally white) five-petaled flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across — one of the earliest native PNW shrubs to bloom and a critical early nectar source for Anna's hummingbirds and bumblebee queens. The berries, ripening July–August, are aggregate drupelets resembling raspberries in form but distinctly salmon-colored — ranging from golden-amber to orange-red to deep red. Spreads very aggressively by rhizome. Non-toxic; berries edible and flavorful.

Native Range

Native to moist stream banks, wetland edges, wet forest understories, and coastal forests from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon to California.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a large native riparian and wetland buffer shrub in Pacific Northwest restoration projects, stream bank stabilizations, and large naturalistic gardens at 4–6 foot (1.2–1.8 m) spacing. One of the most important early-season hummingbird shrubs in the PNW — the February–May flowers provide nectar when little else is available. Combines with Lonicera involucrata, Oenanthe sarmentosa, and Carex obnupta in native PNW wetland and riparian plantings. Of educational value for demonstrating dioecious reproduction, rhizome colonization, and the ecological role of early-blooming riparian shrubs in the PNW.

How to Identify

Identified as a tall colony-forming deciduous shrub of moist and wet PNW habitats with trifoliate compound leaves — three ovate doubly-serrated leaflets, the terminal leaflet largest. Stems have sparse, scattered, hooked prickles (much less dense than invasive blackberries). Spectabilis = 'spectacular': large vivid magenta-pink five-petaled flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) Feb–May on bare branches are the primary field identifier. DIOECIOUS: male and female flowers on separate plants. Salmon-colored (golden-amber to orange-red to deep red) raspberry-like aggregate berries July–Aug are diagnostic by color — no native or invasive PNW blackberry produces berries in these warm amber-to-red tones. Spreads by rhizome into dense thickets in wet conditions.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 12'
Width/Spread4' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
magenta
white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks
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Spring
Blooms February through May for 6–8 weeks — one of the first native PNW shrubs to flower, bearing large, vivid magenta-pink (occasionally white) five-petaled flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across on bare branches before or as leaves emerge. Critical early nectar source for Anna's hummingbirds overwintering in the PNW and for bumblebee queens emerging in late winter and early spring. Salmon-colored (golden-amber to orange-red to dark red) aggregate berries ripen July–August and are consumed by bears, birds, and small mammals.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

vivid magenta-pink (occasionally white); large five-petaled 1–1.5 inches on bare branches Feb–May; EARLIEST native PNW shrub to bloom — critical Anna's hummingbird and bumblebee queen nectar; SALMON-COLORED berries: golden-amber to orange-red to dark red July–Aug — diagnostic color; DATA CORRECTIONS: scientific_name hyphen; genus trailing space; species null; rewrote curly-brace prose

Foliage Description

medium green; TRIFOLIATE — three ovate doubly-serrated leaflets, terminal leaflet largest; sparse scattered hooked prickles on stems (much less dense than invasive blackberries); DIOECIOUS — male and female on separate plants; spectabilis = 'spectacular'

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysiltpeat
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to full shade in moist to wet, acidic soil with a pH of 5.0–7.0. Requires consistently moist to wet conditions — one of the most moisture-demanding native PNW shrubs. Spreads very aggressively by rhizome; forms dense, difficult-to-remove thickets. Best suited to large naturalistic sites, riparian restorations, and wetland buffers where spreading is acceptable. Not appropriate for small garden spaces. No fertilizer needed.

Pruning

Remove oldest canes to the ground in late winter before flowering begins. Sever rhizomes at the desired perimeter with a sharp spade in spring or fall to manage aggressive spread. Can be cut back hard for rejuvenation. Use gloves — sparse hooked prickles on stems.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic