Can I obtain cloudberry plants in the US?

November 11, 2021 10:35 PM

I have access to a plot of land in northern Minnesota where it might be possible to grow cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) -- aka bakeapple, aka knotberry. This is near the southern limit of its range, but soil conditions and the local microclimate give me some reason to be optimistic. I've seen the seeds for sale, but have read they're very difficult to cultivate. Is it possible to buy the actual plants or cuttings somehow? If not, any advice on how to grow from seed?
posted by theory to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

This Houzz (formerly Gardenweb) thread seems full of good info, though mostly it seems to underline the futility of the undertaking.
posted by vegartanipla at 11:22 PM on November 11, 2021

Could you find a nursery in Alaska that has them that can ship to you? That might avoid the whole importing plants issue.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:08 AM on November 12, 2021

Have you tried your ag extension and master gardeners? They are plant nerds and will probably have good local advice. Native plant and horticultural societies are a good bet, too. They often have active Facebook groups.
posted by momus_window at 2:49 PM on November 12, 2021

You might want to send a message to the proprietors of Honeyberry USA. They’re in Bagley, MN, and grow/sell a lot of unique northern berry plants. Cloudberry isn’t on their list, but I bet they’d be able to tell you why.
posted by Maarika at 9:09 PM on November 12, 2021