This sun-loving deciduous vine produces small white spring flowers which soon become scores of large, delicious dark berries. Although this variety is named thorn-less, there are truly no thorn-less Boysenberry. However, this variety has far fewer and smaller thorns than other varieties. Boysenberries have an interesting parentage that includes blackberry, dewberry, loganberry, and raspberry. Try adding these glossy, reddish-black berries to your favorite recipes or just eat them fresh off the vine for a delightful guilt-free healthy snack! Boysenberries are very popular to be used for delicious jams and jellies. The beautiful bountiful berries sit against dark green foliage that make this plant not only useful but beautiful. Plant them as a hedge or border or even in a container for decadent berries at your fingertips. This vine is self fertile and grows and matures very quickly. You can expect fruit as early as its second season. Zones 5-9.
Raspberries like full sun and good air circulation. They do best in enriched garden soil that is moisture retentive but well-drained. Plant about 3 feet apart in the row, or train up a trellis. Plant about 1 inch deep in heavy soils, 2 inches in loose, sandy soils. For best growth, cut back immediately after planting, to prevent the plant from setting fruit the first year. This will give you much stronger growth and better harvests in years to come. Water well during growth, and consider mulching to conserve water until the following spring, when the mulch should be removed to let the plants warm up.
