red raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced

Last updated April 5, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

4-6 ft

Spread

2-3 ft (per cane; spreads by suckers)

Growth Rate

Fast

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Well Drained

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 3–9

Bloom Time

May-June (floricane); July-October (primocane)

Fall Color

Yellow

Origin

Europe, northern Asia

Phytophthora Root RotModerate

Growing Season Stress Expression

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break (floricane) BBCH 07	Mar 1-Mar 30	Lateral buds on overwintered floricanes swelling; green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 15-Apr 15	First compound leaves unfolding on floricane laterals
Floricane bloom BBCH 65	May 15-Jun 15	White 5-petaled flowers open on floricane laterals
Floricane fruit ripening BBCH 87	Jun 20-Jul 31	Berries fully colored, detach easily from receptacle
Primocane emergence BBCH 10	Apr 1-May 15	New canes emerging from base; vigorous upright growth
Primocane bloom (everbearing types) BBCH 65	Jul 15-Aug 15	Flowers opening at primocane tips; Heritage and similar cultivars only
Primocane fruit ripening (everbearing types) BBCH 87	Aug 15-Oct 15	Fall crop berries fully colored on current-season canes
Leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 15-Nov 15	Leaves yellowing and dropping from floricanes and primocanes

Diseases: Regionally Documented (4)

Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold) Phytophthora spp. (P Phytophthora Root Rot Kalmusia coniothyrium Cane Blight Xenodidymella applanata Spur Blight

Pests: Regionally Documented (1)

Pennisetia marginata Raspberry Crown Borer

Pests: Other Associations (1)

Drosophila suzukii Spotted Wing Drosophila

Cultivars (6)

'Meeker'

Floricane-fruiting. Dominant PNW commercial cultivar; excellent flavor, medium-large fruit, good processing quality.

Still dominant commercial cultivar but WSU breeding program actively developing replacements with improved disease resistance

'Tulameen'

Floricane-fruiting. Very large fruit, excellent fresh-market quality. Less winter-hardy than Meeker.

Requires excellent drainage; not suited to Puget Sound lowland clay without raised beds

'Heritage'

Primocane-fruiting. Classic fall-bearing variety; smaller fruit but reliable production. Can be mowed to ground in winter for simplified management.

'Cascade Delight'

Floricane-fruiting. Late-season, firm, large fruit, excellent flavor. WSU release (2003).

'Cascade Harvest'

Floricane-fruiting. Mid-season, high yields, good color and flavor. WSU release (2015).

'Cascade Premier'

Floricane-fruiting. Flavorful, easy machine harvest. WSU release (2018).

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.