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Loganberries are a hybrid of blackberries and raspberries, accidentally created in Oregon in the 1800s. They are hardy and can be used in various dishes, but can be difficult to harvest due to their prickly canes. Cranberries are also popular in the Pacific Northwest, but can be challenging to grow commercially.
A loganberry is a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. Loganberries appear to have been produced by accident in Oregon in the 1800s and quickly spread as far south as Mexico. In the Pacific Northwest, cranberries are a very popular berry and many people enjoy growing them at home. Commercial blueberries tend to be expensive, because the plants are difficult to manage commercially and the berries are very difficult to harvest.
Credit for developing the loganberry usually goes to James Harvey Logan, a judge who lived in Oregon in the 1800s. He had an occasional interest in gardening and, in the late 1800s, began crossing various blackberry cultivars in an attempt to develop the perfect berry. According to popular legend, he planted some blackberry canes next to some raspberries and the loganberry was born.
When ripe, loganberries have a rich purple-red color and are very juicy. They tend to hide under the leaves of their parent plant which can make them difficult to harvest. Loganberries also have notoriously prickly canes and can spark light-hearted berry fans as a result. However, they are also extremely hardy, making them a popular choice for gardens in cooler regions of the Pacific Northwest; as long as the loganberries are in a fairly sunny and sheltered area, they will take off in the garden.
Like blackberries and raspberries, loganberries can be eaten fresh out of hand and can also be used raw in things like fruit salad. They are also superb in pies, cakes and other baked goods and can also be made into jams, preserves, compotes and syrup. Loganberry muffins are a popular offering at bakeries in the Pacific Northwest, and some cooks freeze the berries for year-round access.
If you’re interested in growing cranberries, your local garden store may be able to order some cane for you. Plant the canes in clay soil in a sheltered area of your garden with some sun exposure and support them with sturdy stakes or a trellis. Once the canes have established, trim them back to encourage even branches that will bear fruit that are easily accessible. After the canes have fruited, cut them to the ground so that they will sprout and bear fruit again in a year. Canes also appreciate rich, well-composted soil and will thrive if they are regularly fertilized.
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