Red raspberry is an erect to spreading, perennial shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae), primarily grown for its tasty, edible fruits. This subspecies is native to temperate Europe and northern Asia. The species and subspecies epithet were unexplained by the author but likely refer to the nymph Idaea of Greek mythology. Red raspberry grows 3 to 9 feet tall and wide. It prefers organically rich, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It is intolerant of wet soils, which can cause root rot. Propagate by division or stem cutting. Information on raspberry cultivation for home gardeners is available in the NC State Extension publication Raspberries in the Home Garden. First-year canes (stems) bear only leaves, while lateral second-year canes produce flowers and fruits. Flowers bloom in clusters in spring but are occasionally solitary, and are generally white but sometimes pink to rosy-purple. Fruits ripen in summer. There are many cultivars available with improved fruit and taste that are appropriate for the home garden. Be sure to check the chill hour requirements before planting. Most raspberries do best in the north or in the mountains. Because it is a low-lying, thorny shrub and can easily spread to form a thorny thicket, red raspberry requires some care and maintenance in a home garden setting. If properly cared for, it can be used as a barrier or screen for privacy. It also works well in a recreational play area or children’s garden. Because its flowers and fruit attract pollinators and wildlife, it is perfect for a butterfly or pollinator garden. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Spotted wing drosophila can be a problem. Cane borers and crown borers are potentially serious insect pests. Anthracnose, botrytis, root rot and other fungal diseases can cause serious problems and may require treatment. It is also weedy. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Rubus idaeus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Red raspberry leaves are usually pinnately divided into 3-5 leaflets, infrequently undivided, with pleated wrinkles. Undersides are lighter and fuzzy. Petioles have prickles.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are in clusters, but are occasionally solitary. Each flower has five petals, five sepals, five bracts, numerous stamens, and several pistils clustered on a cone-shaped core known as a receptacle. Flower blooms from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Aggregate; Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Botanically the fruits are not berries (though they are usually called berries)– they are instead made of many small drupes. The fruits hold together in a hollow cone.
Bark detail
Bark tends not to peel with age.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Stems lack the hairs that subsp strigosus has. However, there are prickles
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Northern Asia
Wildlife value
Attracts pollinators, bees, and butterflies with its nectar. Fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals and plants provide cover.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and delicious when eaten out of hand. The fruit is also used in pies, preserves, and in wines. A herb tea is made from the dried leaves and some say that a type of tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute.
Uses (ethnobotany)
A dye can be obtained from the fruit that is a pink-purple to dull blue color.