Raspberry Autumn First (Everbearing) - Rubus idaeus

Rubus idaeus Autumn First is an early perpetual variety that produces large fruits from the beginning of August. The dark red raspberries are highly aromatic. This recent variety from Switzerland is renowned for its high yield and disease resistance. Plant from October to March for a harvest from August to October, with a second crop in June the following year.

Rubus idaeus 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 mountainous undergrowth. It also grows on plains.

The raspberry is a deciduous shrub with upright stems, forming a bush about 1.5m (5ft) in all directions over time. The stems or canes are biennial, each having the peculiarity of dying after fruiting. Every year, new suckers emerge from its roots. The new canes are armed with small, slightly prickly hairs. Its leaves are green on top, and white-green and downy on the underside. The flowering is honey-rich. The small white flowers (1 to 2cm (1in) in diameter) are grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12. They appear in April-May. The fruits are formed by small agglutinated drupes, which are easy to detach when ripe.

Production reaches its normal level in the third year after planting. One plant can produce fruit for around 10 years.

There are two types of raspberries: perpetual varieties (like Autumn First), which produce in autumn (generally from August to October) and then around June the following year, and non-perpetual varieties, which have a bountiful harvest around June-July.

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