Rubus idaeus 'Héritage', also known as the Heritage raspberry, is a popular and productive autumn-fruiting raspberry cultivar prized for its abundant crops of sweet, flavorful berries. This deciduous shrub features thorny canes with pinnate leaves and produces clusters of small, white flowers in spring, followed by a continuous supply of bright red raspberries from late summer to autumn. It's a fantastic choice for gardens, allotments, and containers, providing a delicious and healthy harvest. It belongs to the Rosaceae family.
Origin: Rubus idaeus 'Héritage' is an American variety, developed in 1969.
Light: Rubus idaeus 'Héritage' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a location with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to encourage optimal growth and fruit production, but it can tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates.
Water: Water regularly, especially during dry periods and the first year after planting. Raspberries prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
Soil: Rubus idaeus 'Héritage' prefers fertile, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It thrives in loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Support: Raspberry canes can benefit from support to prevent them from bending or breaking under the weight of the fruit. Provide a trellis, wires, or canes for the plants to grow on.
Pruning: Prune your Rubus idaeus 'Héritage' in late winter or early spring. Cut back any dead or weak canes and thin out overcrowded growth. For autumn-fruiting raspberries, you can cut all the canes down to ground level in late autumn or winter.
Pests and Diseases: Keep an eye out for common raspberry pests and diseases, such as raspberry cane blight, aphids, and spider mites.
Harvesting: The raspberries typically ripen from late summer to autumn. Harvest the berries when they are fully ripe and easily come away from the cane.
Uses: The raspberries are delicious eaten fresh or can be used in jams, preserves, and other culinary creations.
Toxicity: Rubus idaeus 'Héritage' is not known to be toxic to humans or pets.