About Boysenberry

Originating from the famous Knott’s Berry Farm in California, this superb hybrid berry is a complicated cross between a blackberry, loganberry, dewberry and raspberry! It is vigorous and a prolific cropper. The fruit is round to oblong in shape and dark purple in colour, they have a unique flavour that combines the tartness of good old-fashioned wild blackberries with a sweet hint of raspberry. The berries can be eaten fresh or used for bramble and apple jelly or pie filings. Boysenberries are undemanding, disease/ drought resistant and extremely easy to grow.

• Self fertile
• Planting Distance 1.5m apart
• Height & Spread 2m x 2.5m
• Crops Juy-September

A crossbreeding of raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries, the boysenberry is an early fruiting (July to August), attractive fruit bush that looks great and produces beautiful, sweet fruit. The serrated green leaves of this bush form a rugged clump of foliage that supports small clusters of large, firm black fruit. The sweet taste of the boysenberry goes perfectly with porridge or yogurt in a healthy breakfast, blended with other fruit as part as a smoothie or eaten on their own. Why not crush the berries up in a bowl and mix with gin and soda water for a refreshing cocktail. This semi-evergreen fruit bush is a spineless variety which makes it easier to handle and safer around children and animals.

How to look after boysenberry

Place in a sunny location and water regularly so that the soil is moist, but not wet. This plant likes to climb so it is easily planted under a trellis or plant support to create a space filling and beautiful display. Make sure you prune any brown or discoloured leaves, and watch check the eaves regularly for caterpillars.

When do I harvest boysenberry?

Between May and June your plant will produce small white flowers. After a few weeks these will fall off to leave the early fruit that will turn from green to red and eventually black. When the fruit has turned black harvest by twisting the berry from the stem. Once picked, the boysenberry will only last for about a day so only pick when needed.

How do you store boysenberry fruits?

Once picked a boysenberry will not last long. If you want to preserve your fruits for longer you can either blend the fruits into a thick juice which you can freeze or freeze whole fruits in an airtight bag.

How to look after your boysenberry bush

Plant your boysenberry in a sunny spot that is well-sheltered from cold winds. The soil should be well-draining, and full of organic matter, so mulch and manure sandy or clay soils. Make sure to provide a cane or trellis for the plant to climb up. Around mid-spring feed with a high potassium liquid feed to get the best fruits.

How often should I water my boysenberries?

Young plants should be watered well at least once a week to keep the soil moist, but not wet. Once established you can decrease the frequency of watering, but you will get better fruits if the frequency is kept up.

How do you prune a boysenberry bush?

These vigorous growing fruits need to be pruned regularly if you want the best fruits. Regularly tie in new shoots, and then all side-shoots in the winter. In the second year after planting the plant will produce new canes. To support these, tie loosely to canes or to a trellis.