Raspberry Autumn Sun - Rubus idaeus

The Primeberry 'Autumn Sun' Raspberry is a variety of autumn raspberry with large, very aromatic yellow fruits. This raspberry variety, known as autumn raspberry, produces fruits from early August until mid or late September on the current year's canes. The conical berries are large and dark yellow. The taste is particularly pronounced for a yellow fruit, slightly sweeter than a red fruit, but with a good aroma and an intense fruity flavour. Planting this raspberry variety in autumn or spring, especially in regions with cold or humid winters, is recommended.

The Rubus idaeus, commonly known as the Raspberry, is native to Europe and temperate Asia and belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. In its native habitat, it grows in cool climates associated with plants such as rowan, elderberry, or beech, forming a symbiotic relationship. The optimal production starts in the third year after planting. The lifespan of a raspberry plant is about ten years. There are two categories of raspberries. The everbearing varieties produce two crops, the first in June-July on the previous year's canes and the second from August until frost on the current year's shoots. The non-remontant varieties, which have an abundant harvest around June-July, bear fruit on the previous year's canes.

The Primeberry 'Autumn Sun' variety is a recent Swiss creation from the 'Primeberry' range. It is part of this extensive range of autumn raspberries, which consists of varieties selected for their vitality, robustness, high yield, and exceptional taste quality of their fruits. Each variety has been carefully chosen to ensure a pleasant growing experience and abundant harvests of delicious raspberries. 'Autumn Sun' forms a bushy shrub that can reach 2m in height and 90cm in width. Its deciduous foliage is carried by upright stems, developing as a moderately suckering perennial stump. The canes are biennial, each one dying after fruiting. Every year, new suckers emerge from the roots, armed with small prickly pricks. The Raspberry has green leaves on the top, whitish-green and downy on the underside.

The flowering is highly melliferous. The white flowers, 1 to 2cm in diameter, are grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12. They appear from April to May, and the flowering extends until August. The fruits are formed by small clustered drupes, which are easy to detach when ripe. It is a self-fertile variety, capable of self-pollination. Still, it is also beneficial to associate it with other raspberry varieties to stimulate production by staggering harvests and diversifying tastes and uses. The 'Autumn Sun' raspberry is hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -20°C. It is resistant to diseases and requires little maintenance.

The Autumn Sun Raspberry is an early variety in the range of autumn raspberries. It stands out for its abundant production of fruits from August to late September over a relatively short period. This characteristic offers the advantage of a concentrated harvest, allowing for abundant raspberries in a short period. Raspberries are delicate fruits that need to be carefully picked; they can be lightly washed with water and keep better in the refrigerator. Picking is easy, and it is very enjoyable to taste the fruits on the spot or pick them for various culinary uses: sorbets, coulis, jams, tiramisu, crumble... not to mention the traditional Raspberry Tart. Low in calories but rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron), vitamins C and K, fibre, and antioxidants, raspberries contribute to a balanced diet.

Within a gourmet hedge, in the vegetable garden, or as a focal point in the ornamental garden, the Autumn Sun Raspberry will find a special place alongside other small fruit varieties. To extend the harvest period and increase the diversity of colour and taste of raspberries, it can be attractive to plant near everbearing varieties, such as the Zeva and Heritage varieties, or yellow-coloured varieties, like the Golden Everest, Fall Gold, Autumn Amber, or black varieties like the Black Jewel or Glen Coe.

Tip: This variety of autumn raspberry, known as primocane raspberries, bears fruit on the canes of the year, but during winter pruning, by keeping some canes from the previous year, it is possible to obtain a first harvest in June on these same canes.