Raspberry Rustica- Rubus idaeus

Rubus idaeus 'Rustica', also marketed under the name 'Yummy', is a recent variety with exceptional qualities. It forms a bushy and compact plant, measuring about 50cm (20in) in all directions. It is ideal for container gardening on patios and balconies, and works wonders in vegetable plots. You can even grow it in ornamental gardens. It fruits quickly. It bears fruit on the current year's wood. This charming raspberry is thankfully free from thorns so children and adults will love it! This hardy raspberry is easy to grow and is resistant to diseases. It will produce fruit from summer to autumn.

Rubus idaeus belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. It is native to temperate Europe and Asia (from Turkey to China and Japan) and has been cultivated since the Middle Ages in gardens. It can be found in mountain undergrowth, as well as on plains. It is a suckering shrub, composed of upright, cylindrical stems, which die in the second year after fruiting. The stump produces new stems every year. The 'Rustica' variety was developed by Dutch horticulturist Jan de Boer, who wanted to obtain a raspberry bush adapted to small spaces, such as urban gardens. It was named in honour of the 90th anniversary of the famous gardening magazine 'Rustica'.

This variety's habit is naturally compact. The stems generally do not exceed 50cm (20in) in height and width. The deciduous foliage is medium green and dense. It serves as a backdrop for the lovely white flowering that occurs from June to August. It consists of flowers measuring 2 to 3cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in clusters of 5 to 10. Pollination is carried out by bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. The flowers are followed by an abundance of raspberries, which are actually composed of small fleshy drupes clustered together. They are easily detachable from the bush when ripe. The medium-sized fruits are deep red. They boast a balanced and fragrant flavour. They can be harvested from July to September.

To fully enjoy their flavour, raspberries should be consumed quickly after picking, as they do not keep well. If you have a bountiful harvest, consider making sauces, sorbets, tarts, or jams. You can also freeze them. One plant can produce fruit for about 10 years.

Rubus idaeus 'Rustica' is as decorative as it is delicious. It can be planted in containers on patios and balconies, in vegetable plots, or in ornamental gardens. It is easily grown in non-scorching sun or partial shade, in moist, fertile, and well-drained garden soil. Regularly water raspberries grown in containers, as the soil dries out more quickly than in open ground.

Maintenance is limited to annual pruning of the oldest stems, which should be done in early spring. This will encourage earlier fruiting. Simply prune every other branch in March. Alternatively, you can cut back all the branches to a few centimetres above the ground at the same time. This variety flowers and bears fruit on the current year's growth, so this will not prevent you from enjoying a bountiful harvest, albeit a little later.