Rubus idaeus 'Royalty' - 'Royalty' Purple Raspberry

Dive into originality with the 'Royalty' Purple Raspberry, an ever-bearing variety that offers you not one, but two abundant harvests of spectacular fruit! Recognized for its extra-large, uniquely purple raspberries with a richly aromatic flavour, 'Royalty' is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a distinct taste experience. Vigorous and highly productive, it transforms your garden into a true festival of summer and fall flavours.

Harvest: Production & Flavours

The 'Royalty' Raspberry stands out for its ever-bearing nature, providing an early first harvest, followed by a major fruiting in late season. Its fruits are remarkable for their size and taste.

• Harvest Period: July (on last year's canes) and late August - September (on new canes)
• Visual Description: Extra-large, conical raspberries, an attractive deep purple colour, juicy and plump.
• Flavour Profile: Sweet and mild, with a refreshing hint of acidity and a complex, highly aromatic fragrance. The flesh is juicy and melts in your mouth.
• Culinary Uses: Excellent fresh, in jams, jellies, pies, coulis, or to add a unique splash of colour and flavour to your desserts and beverages.

Planting Guide

To ensure the success of your 'Royalty' raspberry bush, follow these key steps:

1. Ideal Location: Plant your 'Royalty' in full sun to optimize the double fruit production. A well-ventilated site is also important for plant health. Installing support (trellis, wires) is highly recommended for its vigorous canes.
2. Soil Preparation: This raspberry bush prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0 to 6.8). Generously amend with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill with your amended soil mix and gently tamp down. Space plants approximately 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet) apart and allow 0.9 to 1.2 metres (3 to 4 feet) between rows to allow for spreading.
4. Pollination:
   • Type: Self-fertile; 'Royalty' does not require another raspberry bush to produce fruit.
   • Suggested Partners: No partners are necessary.

Care Guide

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering, fruiting, and dry periods. Regular and deep watering is crucial.
• Fertilization: In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer or one specific to small fruits. An annual application of compost around the base of the plants is also very beneficial.
• Pruning: As an ever-bearing variety, 'Royalty' can be pruned in two ways:
  • For two harvests: After the first harvest in July, cut the canes that have fruited down to the ground. Leave the new green canes that will produce in the fall and the following summer.
  • For one large fall harvest: Cut all canes down to the ground in late fall or early spring. This will force the plant to produce only on new canes, concentrating energy for a more abundant late-season harvest.
• Protection:
  • Against Birds: Raspberries are highly appealing to birds; bird netting may be necessary as harvests approach.
  • Winter Protection: Thanks to its good hardiness (Zone 3), 'Royalty' generally does not require additional winter protection in Quebec. A good layer of mulch at the base of the plant will help insulate the soil.