Rubus idaeus 'Lucky Berry'

The 'Lucky Berry' Raspberry is a new variety with a dwarf and compact habit, highly productive with a regular harvest spread over 4 months, starting from the first year. The plant is covered in decorative white flowers that attract bees in May, June, and July. This everbearing variety produces beautiful raspberries from July to October, approximately 1.5 cm (1in) in diameter, with a conical shape, rich in fibre, potassium, and iron. It is a self-fertile variety that can self-pollinate, but combining it with other raspberry varieties will enhance production by spreading the harvest and diversifying flavours and culinary uses. It requires a sunny or partially shaded location with rich, deep, and acidic soil. Hardy (down to -20°C), resistant to diseases, it is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. Planting is recommended in autumn or spring for regions with cold or humid winters.

The Rubus idaeus, commonly known as the Raspberry, is native to Europe and temperate Asia and belongs to the Rosaceae family, like strawberries, blackberries, and roses. It grows in cool climates paired with plants such as mountain ash, elderberry, or beech in its original habitat, forming a symbiotic relationship. The optimal production starts in the third year after planting. The lifespan of a raspberry plant is about ten years. Two categories of raspberries can be distinguished: everbearing varieties that provide a harvest from July-August until the first frost and non-everbearing varieties that have an abundant harvest in June-July.

The Rubus idaeus 'Lucky Berry' is part of a highly innovative range of fruit plants distributed under the Lucky Berry brand. It complements a collection that includes blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and fig trees. All of them have been selected for their long harvest period, high yield, sweet and juicy fruits, and compact growth suitable for container cultivation, as well as their resistance to winter and diseases. This raspberry variety forms a bushy shrub with a very compact habit, reaching a height of 80 cm (32in) and a spread of 60 cm (24in). Its deciduous foliage is carried on upright stems, developing from a moderately suckering perennial stump. The canes are biennial, each one dying after fruiting. New canes emerge from the roots every year, armed with small, prickly pricks. The Raspberry has green leaves on the upper side, whitish-green and hairy on the underside. The flowering is highly attractive to bees. The white flowers, 1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in) in diameter, are grouped in small clusters of 10 to 12. They appear from April-May, and the flowering period extends until August. The fruits are formed by small aggregated drupes that are easy to detach when ripe.

The Lucky Berry Raspberry can be grown in pots or hanging baskets on a balcony, terrace, or in a small garden. It can also be planted in a vegetable garden, orchard, or as an accent plant in a decorative garden. In any case, this Raspberry will find a special place alongside other small fruit varieties. This everbearing variety offers the advantage of a staggered harvest for various uses. Raspberries are delicate fruits that need to be carefully picked. They can be lightly washed with water and are best stored in the refrigerator. Harvesting is easy, and it is very enjoyable either to eat the fruits on the spot or to pick them for a variety of culinary uses such as sorbets, coulis, jams, tiramisu, crumbles, puddings, etc., not forgetting the traditional Raspberry Tart. Low in calories but rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron), vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants, raspberries contribute to a balanced diet.