Growing PNW berries in Midwest

Hey all!

I'm starting Thimbleberry, Grouseberry, and Billberry from seed. I've also ordered Thimbleberry, Salmonberry, and Oval-Leaved Blueberry plants.
My question is, does anyone have any info on growing these in Michigan or the Midwest?
I know Thimbleberry grow in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, but I believe the others are native to the Pacific NW.

Any advice and info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I don't know about growing them in your area but I can tell you what I observe when I find them growing wild here in the PNW. They all grow in the woods, often on the edges and they need adequate water. You will not likely find any in the middle of a field. For example, I have a volunteer salmon berry that is growing in my lawn but it is hugging the north side of my electrical box.

Thimbleberries are usually in the wetter areas, like along the trail in a wetland I enjoy visiting and salmon berries like more drainage like on the hillside above a stream but I often see them growing together too.

Evergreen blueberries/huckleberries like acidic fertile soil. They like growing in the understory of the evergreen forests. They can be extremely hard to transplant because they are finicky about soil and moisture. They often grow on nurse logs and stumps. I have heard of people placing a log in the planting hole and then planting the huckleberry on top. It sounds like a hugelkultur bed would be a good place to plant one if you have a hugelkultur bed as long as it was also partial shade.

Good luck! They are all yummy treats and you won't ever find them in a grocery store!

Thanks Jenny!

You backed up most of what I've read and then some.

Question about nurse logs: Are there certain types of trees that are better than others? Just thinking about the way mushrooms grow on particular logs.

zakk barozzini wrote:Thanks Jenny!

You backed up most of what I've read and then some.

Question about nurse logs: Are there certain types of trees that are better than others? Just thinking about the way mushrooms grow on particular logs.

I don't know for sure but the forests I see them growing in are evergreen Douglas firs mostly. So, softwood- to break down quicker, and evergreens- for acidity which they prefer. Totally just guessing though!