Raspberry Bella Aromatica (Everbearing) - Rubus idaeus

Remarkable, the 'Bella Aromatica' dwarf raspberry is a small-sized variety suitable for small spaces and container gardening. Hardy, robust, and vigorous, it abundantly produces large, slightly conical, highly aromatic and fragrant dark red fruits. This perpetual variety bears fruit from July until the first frost. The fruits of 'Bella Aromatica' have a sweet, sugary, and slightly acidic fragrance. Delicious when eaten fresh, they can also be enjoyed in jams, sorbets, or pastries. Planting is recommended in autumn or spring for regions with cold or humid winters.

The Raspberry, native to Europe and temperate Asia, belongs to the Rosaceae family, along with strawberries, blackberries, and wild roses. In its native habitat, it grows in the undergrowth of cool climates associated with plants such as the rowan tree, elderberry, or beech, with which it forms a symbiotic relationship. Optimal production occurs from the third year after planting. The lifespan of the raspberry plant is about ten years. Two categories of raspberries can be distinguished:  everbearing varieties, which produce fruit from July to August until the frost, and non-remontant varieties, which have abundant harvests around June to July.

The Bella Aromatica Raspberry is a deciduous shrub with upright stems, forming a bush about 60 cm (24in) in all directions over time. It develops from a perennial sucker. The stems or canes are biennial, each having the peculiarity of dying after fruiting. Every year, new suckers emerge from the stump, producing new canes armed with small, slightly prickly prickers. The Raspberry has green leaves on the upper side, white-green and downy on the underside. The flowering is beautiful to bees. The small white flowers are about 1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in) in diameter, grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12, and appear in April-May. The fruits are formed by small agglomerated drupes, which are easy to detach when ripe. The Bella Aromatica Raspberry yields abundant fruit from July until the first frost, offering the advantage of a staggered harvest for various uses. The raspberry is a delicate fruit that needs to be carefully picked and can be lightly washed with water. It keeps better in the refrigerator. The harvest is convenient, and it is delightful to either taste the fruits on the spot or pick them for various culinary uses: sorbets, sauces, jams, tiramisu, crumbles, puddings, ... not to mention the traditional Raspberry Tart. Low in calories but rich in minerals, vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants, raspberries are beneficial for health.

The compact habit and small size of the 'Bella Aromatica' Raspberry make it suitable for container gardening on balconies, terraces, or small gardens. It can also be planted in vegetable gardens or orchards or used as a focal point in ornamental gardens. In any case, this Raspberry will find a special place alongside other varieties of small fruits.