Native Red Raspberry

Native Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) is a deciduous native perennial shrub with an erect and spreading habit. First year stems bear only leaves, leaves are gray/silver in color on lateral branches. Flowers and fruits begin in the second to third year. Red raspberry is delicious to humans, and many cultivars have been developed from the wild. Animals including black bear and coyote also consume the juicy fruits. Pruning is essential in order to keep plants well-maintained, but care must be used to avoid pruning the second-year growth that will bear fruit. Best to prune out old, summer-bearing canes as soon as fruiting is over to encourage new canes. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer and provides excellent cover year round for birds and small mammals. Butterflies and other insects are attracted to the blooms.  Plant in full sun to partial shade in well drained loamy soils.  Harvest Time: Harvest Time: June - September. Raspberries ripen in stages as the plants produc