Raspberry Valentina - Rubus idaeus

The 'Valentina' orange hybrid Raspberry, in Latin Rubus idaeus 'Valentina', is a recent variety that stands out for its beautiful apricot colour fruits. The medium to large, about 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter, slightly elongated heart-shaped raspberries are extremely tasty, with a sweet and fruity flavour, enhanced by a subtle bitterness. They are best consumed fresh after picking and are loved in jam, sorbet, or pastry. This Raspberry bush is not perpetual, it abundantly produces its fruits between late June and early August on the previous year's branches. It is self-fertile but to ensure continuous production and offer a varied range of flavours and uses, it is a good idea to cultivate it alongside other Raspberry varieties. It is best to plant this Raspberry variety in autumn or spring, particularly in regions with cold or humid winters. In addition, it has remarkable resistance to bad weather, tolerating temperatures as low as -20°C, and it is also disease-resistant. Its maintenance is easy and its cultivation requires little specific care.

Rubus idaeus, commonly known as Raspberry, native to Europe and temperate Asia, belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. In its original habitat, it grows in the undergrowth in a cool climate, with plants such as rowan, elderberry, or beech, with which it forms a symbiotic association. Production reaches its peak in the third year after planting. The lifespan of the Raspberry bush is about ten years. There are two categories of Raspberry bushes. The remontant varieties produce two harvests, the first around June-July on the previous year's branches, and the second from August until the first frost on the young shoots of the year. The non-remontant varieties, with abundant harvest around June-July, bear fruit on the previous year's branches.

The 'Valentina' variety was obtained in 2017 by Hortifrut SA, a Chilean company. It is a hybrid variety that forms a bushy shrub that can reach 150 cm high and 80 cm wide. Its deciduous foliage is carried by upright stems, developing as a moderately suckering perennial crown. The canes are biennial, each dying after fruiting. Every year, new thornless canes emerge from its roots. The Raspberry bush leaves are green on the top, whitish-green and hairy on the underside. The flowering is very nectar-rich. In May-June, white, 1 to 2 cm diameter flowers appear in small clusters of 10 to 12. The fruits are formed by small agglomerated drupes, easy to detach when ripe.

The 'Valentina' Raspberry bush produces abundantly over a short period in July. The Raspberry is a delicate fruit that must be carefully picked, a light wash with water is possible, and it keeps better in the refrigerator. Picking is easy, and it is very pleasant either to enjoy the fruits on the spot or to collect them for various culinary uses: sorbets, coulis, jams, tiramisu, crumble, puddings... not to mention the traditional Raspberry Tart. Raspberries are low in calories but rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron), vitamin C and K, fibre, and antioxidants so contribute to a good nutritional balance.

Within an edible hedge, in the vegetable garden, or in the ornamental garden, the Valentina Raspberry bush will find a special place alongside other small fruit varieties. To increase the diversity of colour and taste of raspberries, it can be useful to plant it near perpetual varieties, such as the Zeva and Heritage varieties, or coloured fruit varieties such as Golden Everest and Fall Gold with yellow fruits, or Glen Coe, a thornless variety with purple-violet fruits.