What hardiness zones is Rubus idaeus suitable for?

Rubus idaeus is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Rubus idaeus?

Rubus idaeus requires Full Sun.

How much water does Rubus idaeus need?

Rubus idaeus has Medium water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Rubus idaeus

raspberry

Rosaceae

Circumboreal (Europe, northern Asia, North America)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m)

Width3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Rubus idaeus is a deciduous, suckering shrub reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall with a spread of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m), producing biennial canes (primocanes and floricanes) from a perennial root system. Canes are erect to arching, round in cross-section, with small, fine prickles (much less aggressive than blackberry thorns); some cultivars are thornless. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, with 3-5 (usually 3 on floricanes, 5 on primocanes) ovate, doubly serrate leaflets, each 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long, dark green above with distinctive silvery-white tomentose undersides. Flowers are white, small, 5-petaled, 0.5 inch (13 mm) across, in small terminal clusters in May to June on second-year floricanes (summer-bearing types) or on first-year primocanes in late summer to fall (everbearing types). Fruit is an aggregate drupe, 0.5-0.75 inch (13-19 mm) long, typically red (gold, purple, and black in cultivars), conical to round, separating cleanly from the white receptacle when picked — hollow when detached. Growth rate is fast. Spreads by root suckers; containment may be needed. The Pacific Northwest — particularly the Willamette Valley and Whatcom County — is one of the major raspberry-producing regions in North America due to the mild, moist growing conditions. Summer-bearing types produce one heavy crop in June to July; everbearing types produce a fall crop on primocanes plus a summer crop on floricanes.

Native Range

Circumboreal: native across Europe, northern Asia, and North America (subsp. strigosus is the North American native). Occurs in forest clearings, margins, and disturbed areas from sea level to 8,000 feet (2,400 m). The cultivated raspberry derives primarily from the European subsp. idaeus and the North American subsp. strigosus, with complex hybrid backgrounds in modern cultivars.

Suggested Uses

Planted in dedicated fruit garden rows or edible landscapes, spaced 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) apart in rows 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) apart. Requires trellis support. Summer-bearing cultivars for the Pacific Northwest include 'Meeker' (red, industry standard), 'Willamette' (red), and 'Tulameen' (red, large fruit). Everbearing cultivars include 'Heritage' (red) and 'Anne' (gold). Suitable for large containers (minimum 10-gallon) with trellis support.

How to Identify

Identified by erect to arching biennial canes with fine prickles (not large recurved thorns), pinnately compound leaves with 3-5 serrate leaflets with silvery-white undersides, and red (or gold/purple) aggregate fruit that separates from the receptacle leaving a hollow core. Distinguished from blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) by fine (not large recurved) prickles, fruit that separates from receptacle (blackberry retains it), and smaller overall plant size. Distinguished from Rubus ursinus (native trailing blackberry) by erect (not trailing) canes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

SpringSummer

Small white flowers in terminal clusters appear in May to June on floricanes (summer-bearing types). Everbearing types produce a second flush of flowers on primocanes in late July to August. Fruit ripens over a 3-5 week period. In the Pacific Northwest, summer-bearing cultivars ripen in late June to mid-July; everbearing cultivars produce a fall crop from late August through October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Dark green above, silvery-white beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) per week during the growing season, increasing during fruit development. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Requires well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) amended with generous compost. Train canes on a trellis or wire support system. Maintain 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) of organic mulch. Remove and destroy canes showing signs of spur blight, cane blight, or anthracnose. Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a significant pest in the Pacific Northwest; monitor and manage during fruit ripening. Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring.

Pruning

Summer-bearing types: after harvest in July, remove all spent floricanes (second-year canes that bore fruit) at the ground. Thin primocanes to 4-6 per linear foot (30 cm) of row. Tip primocanes at 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) in late winter to encourage lateral branching. Everbearing types: for a single fall crop, mow all canes to the ground in late winter (February through March). For both summer and fall crops, remove only the spent floricanes after summer harvest and allow primocanes to grow for the fall crop.

Pruning Schedule

wintersummer

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic