Willamette Raspberry

Willamette Raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. strigosus 'Willamette')

Willamette Raspberry is a classic summer-bearing red raspberry prized for heavy early-season crops of large, richly flavored berries; vigorous, tall canes and dependable performance make it a favorite for jams, freezing, and fresh eating in sunny home gardens.

Distinctive Features

Flavorful Fruit: Big, deep-red berries with robust sweet-tart character ideal for fresh use and processing; Strong Vigor: Tall, productive floricanes with good disease tolerance when sited in well-drained soil.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for highest yield and sweetness.
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, organic-rich loam; avoid waterlogged sites.
• Water: Keep evenly moist from bloom through fruiting; do not allow roots to dry out.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8.
• Mature Size: Canes typically 5 to 7 ft tall; spread 3 to 4 ft per plant.
• Bloom Time: Late spring; fruit ripens early to mid summer (floricane crop only).
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic, about 5.5 to 6.8.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Showy clusters of red berries create an edible highlight near patios.
• Edible Hedge: Row planting with trellis forms a productive, seasonal screen.
• Raised Beds: Deep, amended soil and drip irrigation boost yield and quality.
• Preserving: Abundant, robustly flavored berries excel for jam, sauce, and freezing.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply when the top 1 in is dry; increase frequency during heat and fruit swell.
• Pruning: After harvest, remove spent floricanes at the base; tip primocanes at 36 to 42 in to encourage branching for next year.
• Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with a balanced or berry fertilizer; reapply lightly after bloom if growth is weak.
• Mulching: Apply 2 to 3 in of clean straw or shredded bark to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Notes: Train on a simple trellis for airflow and fruit quality; net against birds; avoid poorly drained soils to reduce root diseases.

Why Choose Willamette Raspberry?

• Early, Heavy Crops: Reliable summer harvests of large berries.
• Rich Flavor: Full-bodied sweet-tart taste ideal for fresh eating and preserves.
• Proven Performer: Vigorous plants with consistent yields in suitable climates.
• Home Orchard Favorite: Excellent choice for rows, beds, and backyard production.

Plant in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil, steady moisture, and simple trellising to enjoy generous early-summer raspberries.