Willamette Raspberry

Willamette Raspberry

Willamette Raspberry are quite popular with both home gardeners and commercial growers, this June-bearing variety produces abundant crops of extremely large, dark red berries. Firm and juicy, with a hint of tartness, they are delicious eaten fresh and great for freezing.

Raspberry plants can fruit on different types of canes, and these are categorized into primocane and floricane. Both primocane (first year) fruiting and floricane (second year) fruiting raspberries have both primocanes and floricanes growing from the plant after the first year. Floricane fruiting varieties have primocanes that grow throughout the first year and do not produce fruit. Primocane fruiting varieties have primocanes that produce flowers and fruit the first year, and then the remaining cane will overwinter and fruit again the second year. Pruning needs differ for these types of plants to be productive.

Primocane:
Primocane fruiting raspberries, commonly called Everbearing raspberries, produce flowers and fruit on first year canes. Primocane varieties will produce a moderate crop in June and a much larger crop from late August until frost. Primocane varieties can be mowed to the ground after harvest and require less trellising than June bearing varieties.

Floricane:
Floricane fruiting raspberries, or June-bearing, produce flowers and fruit on second year canes. Their fruit ripens in June or July, depending on the location and conditions. These varieties will require a permanent trellis or support to grow on.

Latin Name: Rubus idaeus
Site and Soil: Raspberries like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 20° F or below.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 6 ft. in height.
Ripening Time: June
Type: June bearing
Taste: Sweet-tart
Yield: 2+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Raspberries are generally free of insect and disease problems.
USDA Zone: 5-9