Oemleria

( oh - em - LER - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of deciduous shrubs and trees is commonly called Oso Berry or Indian Plum. These plants need full sun in cooler climates, partial shade elsewhere, and ample water to perform well. Fruits will attract birds to the garden. Oso Berry is native to woodland areas in the Northwestern United States and is a suckering shrub that grows to 3-15 feet tall and 12 feet wide (or more). Leaves when crushed have a Cucumber scent to them, and white, small flowers smell of almond. Blooms appear alongside the leafout period early in the year. Male and Female plants are separate; both are needed for Oso Berry to bear fruit. Berries are bluish-black. These plants are great for borders, especially in woodland areas.

Oso Berry grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-24 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map). Oemleria cerasiformis is the only extant (living) species in the Oemleria genus, which is a member of the plant family Rosaceae. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as leaves, bark, and seeds release toxic hydrogen cyanide when ingested that can cause poisoning in humans and pets.

Caring for Oemleria

Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as leaves, bark, and seeds release toxic hydrogen cyanide when ingested that can cause poisoning in humans and pets. Before planting Oemleria, consider installing a vertical root barrier 18 to 24 inches deep with 1-2 inches protruding above the soil to prevent their spread in the landscape. These shrubs can perform well in a variety of light exposures, though they will really thrive in partial shade or dappled sun. They grow well under the canopy of trees. Indian Plum prefers well-draining, loam soil but can adapt to a variety of soils. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 4.0 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Oemleria shrubs have low to moderate water needs and are considered drought-tolerant. They can get by on rainwater alone for much of the year, but will need supplemental deep waterings during extended periods of drought for faster growth and better production. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Prune shrubs in late wintertime or early springtime, shaping as needed and removing dead or damaged foliage and branches. These shrubs have a naturally arching habit, so minimal pruning is required. They are generally best when left to their own devices, and have a bit of a wild look to them. Oemleria shrubs spread vegetatively over time through suckering to form thickets. Shrubs are short-lived overall, but individual stems can live for up to 50 years.

Harvesting Oemleria
Oso Berries have a highly variable flavor that ranges from a strong, crisp Cucumber to a sweet Melon or Cherry-like taste. If harvested before they are ripe, they are incredibly bitter, astringent, and Almond-flavored. They are typically best when cooked into baked goods or made into jams or jellies. Oemleria shrubs are dioecious, meaning that male and female reproductive flowers grow on separate plants, and both need to be present for pollination to occur and subsequent fruits to be produced. The fruits are produced in late spring to early summer, when they have turned from a salmon-pink to deep blue-black with a whitish bloom. Oso berries can be stored in a breathable container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for between 3 to 7 days, but are best when consumed or processed as soon as possible. Do not rinse them until just before use, as this will extend their storage life. For longer-term storage, rinse berries and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them into plastic bags. They can last in frozen storage for between 8 and 12 months' time.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Oemleria can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Oemleria by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Oemleria by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss. Take care when working with seeds, as they are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds are contained within the fruits on the shrub, produced only when there are both a male and a female plant in close proximity. The seeds are large, smooth, and toxic. They must be pre-treated before sowing to break dormancy. To complete this process, first place them in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Then, place the container in the refrigerator (or similarly cool, dark space) for 3 to 4 months. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After this period has passed, remove seeds from the container to sow them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination can take up to 180 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.