Boysenberry – Rubus ursinus x idaeus

Plant family: Rosaceae

Plant origin: A Boysenberry is a cross between a European Raspberry, a Common Blackberry, and a Loganberry.

Fruit description: The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. It turns from green to red to dark maroon when ripe. Each fruit is about 4 cm long. Fruit is soft, aromatic and juicy when ripe.

Flowers: The flowers are produced in late spring and early summer. Each flower is about 2–3 cm in diameter with five white or pale pink petals.

Growing conditions: Boysenberries like reasonably fertile, well dug soil, rich with well-rotted manure. Plant them about 180 cm apart supported by wire or trellis. Weeds must be controlled. The plants need plenty of water. Boysenberries are perennial plants which typically bear biennial stems ("canes") from the perennial root system. In its first year, a new stem, the primocane, grows vigorously to its full length of 3 - 5m, arching or trailing along the ground; it does not produce any flowers. In its second year, the cane becomes a floricane. The stem does not grow longer, but produces flowers and fruit. Prune the plant each year to encourage new canes to grow; these will bear next year's fruit.

Uses: Eat these fresh or stewed, in pies and crumbles, with ice-cream or yoghurt. Make superb ice-cream, jam and jelly, wine and liqueur.

Medicinal uses: Boysenberries are high in antioxidants, dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, and the essential mineral, manganese.

Pollination requirements: Self Pollinating.

Harvest time Spring and Summer.

Plant relatives Loganberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Youngberry.

Special features:

Grown by method: Cutting Grown Pot size: 140mm

Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2 metres long if Planted in a Pot. Grows 2.5 metres high by 2.5 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.

Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 140mm