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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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
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
Foliage Description
Dark green above, silvery-white beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
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
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wintersummer
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons