Raspberry Glen Ample- Rubus idaeus

Rubus idaeus 'Glen Ample' is a non-perpetual variety, producing large, dark red fragrant fruits. The canes are thornless. This Scottish variety boasts good yields. Plant from October to March for a harvest from early July to mid-August.

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

The raspberry is a deciduous shrub with upright canes, forming a bush about 1.5m (5ft) in all directions over time. The canes are biennial, each one dying after fruiting. Every year, new suckers emerge from its roots, producing new thornless canes for this variety. Its leaves are green on top, and white-green and downy on the underside. The flowering is honey-rich and popular with bees. The small white flowers (1 to 2cm (1in) in diameter) are grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12. They appear in April-May. The fruits are formed by small agglutinated drupes, which are easy to detach when ripe.

There are two types of raspberries: perpetual varieties, which produce in autumn (usually from August to October) and then again in June the following year, and non-perpetual varieties, such as 'Glen Ample', which have a bountiful harvest in July and August.

Production reaches its normal level in the third year after planting. One plant can produce fruit for around 10 years

To fully enjoy their flavour, raspberries should be consumed shortly after picking, as they do not keep well. If you have a bountiful harvest, consider making coulis, sorbets, pies, or jams. You can also freeze them.