Age: 1 yr
Size: 18-24"
 
Height at maturity: Typically reaches 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 meters) as an upright to arching shrub. Canes may grow taller, up to 7 feet (2.1 meters), in optimal conditions, often forming dense thickets.
Diameter: Individual canes are slender, with diameters less than 1 inch (2.5 cm). The overall spread of a thicket can be 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 meters) wide or more due to its suckering habit.
Crown shape: Develops an upright to sprawling form with bristly, biennial canes. First-year canes (primocanes) are vegetative and upright, while second-year canes (floricanes) bear fruit and arch or droop, creating a tangled, irregular structure.
Benefits: Produces sweet, juicy red raspberries (ripening in mid to late summer) that are edible for humans (used in jams, desserts, or fresh eating) and highly attractive to wildlife, including birds (e.g., thrushes, finches) and mammals (e.g., deer, raccoons). Offers spring interest with white to pinkish flowers (May–June) that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Provides dense cover for small wildlife and supports erosion control due to its spreading root system. Tolerates a range of conditions, making it suitable for naturalized areas or edible landscapes. Low maintenance but requires pruning to manage cane growth and promote fruiting; may be susceptible to pests like raspberry cane borer or diseases like anthracnose.
Best soil type: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5–6.5). Thrives in loamy or sandy soils rich in organic matter. Adapts to clay soils but requires good drainage. Performs best in full sun for optimal fruit production, though it tolerates partial shade.