The Thornless Caroline Raspberry or Rubus canadensis is easy to maintain and produces large, red raspberries that measure about one inch long. White flowers grow on arching canes in the spring, giving way to fruit from June until frost. The fruit is juicy and sweet and can be eaten raw or used to make jams and pies. One mature shrub can produce up to 2 quarts of berries. This thornless variety allows for easy picking without scraping hands or snagging clothing. The Thornless Caroline Raspberry is native to the Eastern U.S. and is easy to maintain.
Thornless Caroline Raspberry Care
Plant this bush in full sun and in rich, loamy, well-drained soil. Space plants at least 3 to 4 feet apart. Prune in the fall to remove dead canes and trim active canes to encourage new growth. The Thornless Caroline Raspberry spreads by underground rhizomes and can form dense thickets.
Growing Thornless Caroline Raspberry
Thornless Caroline Raspberry bushes stand 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Plant this bush at any time during the spring and summer. Raspberry bushes often produce fruit in the second growing season or one year after planting.
Feature this raspberry bush in a container that measures 16 inches wide. The container can be placed in a garden or landscape, or even near a porch or patio since this is a thornless cultivar. Water when the soil is dry and fertilize monthly.
Watering Thornless Caroline Raspberry
Water when the soil is dry. Established plants develop drought tolerance, but appreciate water during a dry period, ensuring a continuous crop. The Thornless Caroline Raspberry can live in damp conditions and will not need much supplemental water if grown in a naturally moist area.
Feeding Thornless Caroline Raspberry
Routine fertilization supports growth and encourages an abundant harvest. Fertilize the Thornless Caroline Raspberry each spring using a balanced, slow-release product.
Thornless Caroline Raspberry Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 – 7
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 5 Feet
Mature Spread: 4 Feet
Spacing: 4 Feet
Habit: Mounded
Flower Color(s): White
Flower Description: White Shades
Bloom Period: Spring to Fall
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description: Green Shades
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
