Growing & using Olallieberry
Olallieberry is the blackberry with the funny name and scrumptious flavor. It is more winter-hardy than Marionberries and just as sweet.
Olallieberry vines can get out of hand pretty quickly, so it is important to plant them with proper spacing and support. Pick a location where there is already a trellis or a trellis can be built to hold the very long and heavy canes. Space plants three to six feet apart. More space allows for better air circulation and ease of care. They do have thorns, so giving them enough room for pruning and maintenence makes them more fun to grow.
Full sun in most areas is preferable. If you live where late spring temperatures can be in the eighties or even hotter then afternoon shade is useful.
When planting, make sure the ground and the root ball are moist. It takes about four weeks for the plants to start putting roots into the surrounding soil. The first year is all about root growth. The canes that grow the first year will fruit the next year. While Olallieberries are perennial, their canes last only two years. The first year is when they grow up from the ground and get long. The second year, they set fruit and die. It is necessary to remove the fruiting canes when have finished producing fruit to make way for new shoots. Plants, once established, will have both first-and second- year canes on them. It is also preferable to thin new shoots so there is only one every six to twelve inches.
Berries will grow larger and juicier with adequate moisture. Avoid planting in soggy or poorly draining soil, but do give them enough water so they don’t dry out.
When ripe, they will be a deep purple-black and come off the vine with a gentle tug. If they don’t come off easily, leave them for a day or so.
Whether you make pies or yummy jam, the delicious Olallieberry is well worth the effort.
