Species boysenberry
black-burgundy fruits with lime-green leaves and yellow-brown stems

boysenberry

Rubus ursinus x idaeus

Boysenberry (Rubus ursinus x idaeus) is a hybrid of raspberry and blackberry. It has a plump, round shape with a thick, purple-black skin. Its juicy, sweet-tart flesh is packed with seeds. Boysenberries are often used in jams, jellies, and preserves. They also work well in pies, tarts, and other desserts. In addition to its culinary uses, this berry is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to your diet. Boysenberries are a delicious fruit that are sure to delight taste buds everywhere!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7

Flowers:

Showy, White Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits In Summer Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

bronze,green,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Boysenberries (Rubus ursinus x idaeus) should be watered about every 7-10 days. When watering, it's important to saturate the soil around the roots, but not too much that the soil becomes waterlogged. Boysenberry plants prefer a soil with good drainage, so a thick layer of mulch around the plant's root system should be added to help protect from waterlogged soils and control weeds. In hot and dry climates, your Boysenberry plant may require more frequent watering during the hot summer months. In winter months, water sparingly as the plants become dormant.

sunlight

Boysenberries (Rubus ursinus x idaeus) should be planted in full sun for about 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight per day. Boysenberry plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and should be watered regularly while their fruits are ripening. In sheltered areas, they should be provided partial shade from hot afternoon sun. High temperatures can cause the flowers and fruit to suffer from sunburn. During the blooming season, mulching the soil to conserve moisture can be beneficial.

pruning

The best time to prune boysenberry plants is in late winter or early spring before the buds begin to burst. The amount of pruning should be kept to a minimum, as boysenberries produce the most fruit on their more mature canes. Depending on the size of the plant and the age of the canes, it may be necessary to prune the old canes back to the ground each year, and to prune the younger canes down to about 5-7 feet. Additionally, any dead or diseased growth should be removed to help maintain healthy canes.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Boysenberries typically start flowering in April or May.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting boysenberries is typically in late June or early July.

Hardiness Map