Organic Raspberry Heritage- Rubus idaeus

Rubus idaeus 'Heritage' from organic farming is an old, productive, robust, and carefree perennial that is widely planted in gardens. The plant is vigorous and disease-resistant. It produces many suckers. Its abundance of upright canes guarantees a good fruit production and makes harvesting easy. Its medium-sized red raspberries are firm and round. They have a sweet and tangy flavour, but are moderately fragrant. They freeze very well. Harvest in June-July, and then again from August to October. It should be planted in autumn, in well-prepared, loosened, and enriched soil, without excessive limestone, remaining moist in summer.

To fully enjoy their flavour, raspberries should be consumed soon after picking as they do not keep well. If you have an abundant harvest, consider making coulis, sorbets, pies, or jams. You can also freeze them. Production reaches its normal level in the third year after planting. 

The 'Heritage' variety is a perpetual cultivar originating from the United States. It is very productive and vigorous. Perpetual raspberries produce fruit in June and again from August to October. Non-perpetual varieties boast an abundant harvest around June-July.

It is a deciduous shrub with upright stems, forming a bush about 1.5m (5ft) in all directions over time. The canes are biennial, with each one dying after fruiting. Suckers emerge from its roots every year. These are new canes armed with small prickles. Its leaves are green on top and white-green underneath. The flowering is popular with bees. The white flowers are small (1 to 2cm (1in) in diameter), grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12. They appear in April-May. The fruits are formed by small, clustered drupes that are easy to detach when ripe.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. The wild raspberry bush is native to Europe and temperate Asia, where it grows in cool climates alongside elderberry, beech, or mountain ash, especially in mountainous undergrowth. It can also be found on plains.