Raspberry 'Black Jewel'

Description

Very rarely available, seeds of this exciting, completely hardy plant, which comes true from seed, produce vigorous, fast-growing and tall/erect black raspberry plants. These are versatile enough to be grown almost anywhere, the fruits having a unique colour with large, darkest purple-black fruits, full of anthocyanins, which are good for your health, and also have a special distinct 'perfumed' taste. They are less tart than blackberries, which they superficially resemble, and this makes them better for eating fresh, although they also make good jams. Billing them as a so-called superfood and describing them as tasting like raspberry jam seems to have been a hit with shoppers. Black raspberries are the first raspberries to ripen in the spring, - with a very concentrated period of ripeness - and can be harvested in two or three passes. It also has beautiful white-backed foliage on long, attractive, blush-white canes, and is less susceptible to cane diseases and root death than most other types. (Sometimes falsely marketed as "Blue Raspberry....but it's not really blue)

Sowing Advice

Sow at any time of the year into a sandy compost and cover thinly with sand or grit. No artificial heat is needed. Leave tray in a cool spot and kept moist. Seeds generally germinate VERY slowly indeed usually appearing in the spring whenever sown, odd ones may come up at any time. DO NOT discard the seed tray. These fresh seeds can take up to 6-12 months to appear. Do NOT discard seed tray! Grow small plants on before planting out in rows about 3 feet apart. Train and support canes up to 2 metres high, trim growing point to get heavy crops!

Key Facts