Organic Raspberry Bohemian (Everbearing) - Rubus idaeus

The organic Bohemian Raspberry Bush, Rubus idaeus , is a remontant and productive variety that produces an abundance of round and not very large raspberries with an original flavour, both gently tangy and highly aromatic. Planting is done from October to March and harvesting takes place in August-September, and then in June the following year. This raspberry bush is a suckering shrub that is cultivated in deep, loose, fertile garden soil that is not too chalky, and stays moist in summer.

To fully enjoy their flavour, raspberries should be consumed quickly after picking, as they do not keep for long. If you have a bountiful harvest, consider making coulis, sorbets, ice creams, pies, or jams. You can also freeze them.

Production reaches its normal level in the third year after planting. One plant can produce fruit for about 10 years. There are everbearing or remontant varieties, producing in autumn (generally from August to October) and then again in the month of June the following year, and summer bearing (non-remontant) varieties whose abundant harvest takes place around June - July.

The Raspberry Bush is a deciduous shrub with upright stems, forming a bush about 1.50m (5ft) in every direction over time. The stems or canes are biennial, each having the peculiarity of dying after fruiting. Every year, suckers emerge from its roots producing new canes armed with small, prickly thorns. Raspberry Bush leaves are green on top, white-green and downy on the underside. They fall in autumn. The flowering is very attractive to bees. The white flowers are small (1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in) in diameter), grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12, and appear from May to July for this Bohemian everbearing variety. The fruits are formed by small agglomerated drupes, easy to detach when ripe.

The Raspberry Bush belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. The wild raspberry is native to Europe and temperate Asia, where it grows in cool climates alongside elderberry, beech, or rowan, especially in mountain undergrowth, but also in the plains.