Japanese Wineberry - Rubus phoenicolasius
Also known as the Chinese blackberry, Rubus phoenicolasius is both a delicious fruit and highly decorative. The berries, borne on 2nd year wood like a summer raspberry, are quite small, golden-yellow ripening to red, juicy, sweet and refreshing; they ripen all at once in August. The plant is very vigorous and needs room, not a heavy cropper, but trouble-free and easy to grow. The arching canes and calyxes are covered with soft, brilliant red bristles, and look particularly wonderful when backlit by the sun in winter. Bridges the gap between Summer- and Autumn-fruiting raspberries.
Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any reasonably well-drained soil
Position: Best fruit in full sun
Pick: August
Keep: A few days in the fridge; freeze well
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile
Uses: Eating, cooking, preserving
Height: 6-8’ (2-2.5m)
Spread: 6-8’ (2-2.5m) + more