Rubus idaeus Primeberry 'Autumn Happy'

The Rubus idaeus Primeberry 'Autumn Happy' is a carefully selected autumn raspberry variety known for its performance, combining robustness, productivity, and fruit quality. This new variety is sure to satisfy raspberry enthusiasts. This thornless variety produces enormous dark red conical fruits on the current year's branches, reaching up to 4 cm (2in) in length. They contain excellent quality pulp that is juicy, sweet, and aromatic. The fruit holds together well and does not disintegrate, although its slightly soft structure at ripeness limits handling and transportation. They can be stored for a few days and can also be frozen. They are equally enjoyed fresh after picking or transformed into jams, coulis, sorbets, ice creams, or used to enhance desserts and pastries. The ripening period begins around early August and continues until early October. With rapid and robust growth, some canes can reach 1.70m (6ft) in height, forming a dense clump of medium to strong vigour composed of numerous upright branches. Planting this raspberry variety in autumn or spring, especially in regions with cold or humid winters, is recommended. It is a self-fertile variety, capable of self-pollination. Still, it is also beneficial to pair it with other raspberry varieties to stimulate production by staggered harvesting and diversifying flavours and uses. 'Autumn Happy' raspberry is hardy, can withstand temperatures as low as -20 °C (- 4°F), and is disease-resistant. Easy to grow, it requires little maintenance.

The Rubus idaeus, commonly known as the Raspberry, originates from Europe and temperate Asia and belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. In its native habitat, it grows in the undergrowth of cool climates, often paired with plants such as mountain ash, elderberry, or beech, forming a symbiotic relationship. Optimal production occurs from the third year after planting. The lifespan of a raspberry plant is about ten years. There are two categories of raspberry plants.

Repeat 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.

Non-repeat varieties have abundant harvests around June-July and fruit on the previous year's canes.

The Primeberry 'Autumn Happy' variety is a selection obtained in collaboration with the East Malling Research Station in Kent, England. This recent development is part of the Primeberry range. This extensive range of autumn raspberries consists of carefully selected varieties known for their vitality, robustness, high yield, and exceptional fruit quality. Each variety has been carefully chosen to ensure an enjoyable growing experience and bountiful harvests of delicious raspberries. 'Autumn Happy' forms a bushy bush reaching a height of 1.70m (6ft) and a width of 0.80 to 1m (3ft). Its deciduous foliage is carried on upright stems, developing from a perennial sucker. The canes are biennial, with each one dying after fruiting. Every year, new thornless canes emerge from the roots. The raspberry plant has green leaves on the top and whitish-green tomentose undersides. The flowering is highly melliferous. The white flowers, 1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in) in diameter, are grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12. They appear from June, and the flowering continues until August. The fruits consist of small clustered drupes that are easy to detach when ripe.

The 'Autumn Happy' raspberry has a relatively early ripening period within the range of autumn raspberries. It distinguishes itself by abundant fruit production from early August to early October over a relatively short period. This characteristic offers the advantage of fairly concentrated harvests, allowing for an abundance of raspberries in a short period. Raspberries are delicate fruits that should be carefully picked. They can be lightly washed with water and stored well in the refrigerator. They are easy to pick and can be enjoyed fresh or used in various culinary preparations, such as sorbets, coulis, jams, tiramisu, crumbles, puddings, and 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.

Whether in an edible hedge, vegetable garden or as a focal point in a decorative garden, the Autumn Happy 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 it near remontant varieties, such as Zeva and Heritage, or yellow-coloured varieties like Golden Everest, Fall Gold, Autumn Amber, or black varieties like Black Jewel or Glen Gloe.

Tip: This variety of autumn raspberries, known as primocane fruiting raspberries, fruits on the canes of the same year. However, by keeping a few canes from the previous year during winter pruning, it is possible to obtain a first harvest in June on these same canes.