Atherton Raspberry

Common Names: Atherton Raspberry, Native Raspberry, Tropical Raspberry

Atherton Raspberry is a tough Aussie native that loves the heat but best in some shade. Unlike the English types that struggle in Perth, this one thrives in our warm sun. It grows as a big, prickly shrub that gives you heaps of bright red berries. The fruit is large, round and sweet and mild, and kids love picking them straight off the bush. It is a fast grower, so it is perfect for filling a spot quickly.

Features:

Ideal prune height range: 1.5-2m

pH growing conditions: 5.6 to 6.2

Shade or full sun: Full sun to part shade

Minimum pot year 5: 50L pot (best in pots to stop it spreading)

Time to fruit age: Fruits in the first year usually.

This plant is a bit of a wild one and likes to scramble. It has little hooks on the stems to help it climb, so a trellis or a fence is a great idea. It stays green all year and produces white flowers before the berries arrive. In Perth, it likes a bit of extra water when it is hot to keep the berries juicy. If it gets too big, just give it a hard prune after the fruit is finished. Suckers well.

Interesting Notes:

The berries are ready when they almost fall into your hand. If you have to pull hard, they are not sweet yet. The leaves can also be dried to make a nice tea that is good for digestion,  avoid tea when pregnant.

This is a top pick for a bush tucker garden because it is so easy to grow and produces  more fruit than the regular types.

Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.

Keywords: Atherton Raspberry, native raspberry, bush tucker Perth, edible garden, tropical raspberry