Shrub
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
A deciduous fruit shrub that sends up new canes from the roots. Summer- and autumn-fruiting cultivars offer different harvest seasons and need different pruning.
- Size
- 1.5–2.5 m high · 0.5–1 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Check whether the cultivar fruits in summer or autumn before planting. This determines which canes to keep and when to prune.
- Choose a sunny, sheltered site with humus-rich, well-drained soil. Light shade is tolerated, but fruiting is usually better with more sun.
- Allow space for a row and supports where needed. The quoted width is not a limit on spread: remove suckers that emerge beyond the intended area.
Why choose it
- The soft, aromatic berries are useful fresh, frozen or in preserves. The harvest season and fruit size depend on the cultivar.
- White flowers attract bees. Raspberries are self-fertile, so a second cultivar is not required for fruit.
Care
- For summer-fruiting plants, cut the canes that have cropped to ground level after harvest. Keep healthy new canes for next year and support them if necessary.
- For autumn-fruiting cultivars grown for one late crop, cut all canes to ground level in late winter before growth restarts. Do not apply this rule to summer-fruiting cultivars.
- Water during dry spells, especially while fruit develops, and mulch to conserve moisture. Keep the root zone moist without waterlogging and tie in tall canes as needed.
Good to know
- Many cultivars have prickly canes; wear gloves when handling them. Prickle-free cultivars are also available.
- Choose a cultivar suited to local winters. Early autumn frost can shorten a late harvest; ripe berries are delicate and are best used or chilled promptly.