How to Grow Boysenberry
Rubus ursinus × idaeus
Boysenberries are trailing cane fruits trained on wires, producing large dark purple berries with a rich sweet-tart flavour in mid-summer. Excellent fresh or for jam and pies. Prune after harvest by removing fruited canes and tying in new growth. Feed in spring and water well during fruiting. Net against birds as fruit ripens.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Early spring with a balanced fertiliser as buds break. Mulch generously with well-rotted compost.
Watch For
- Raspberry beetle
- Cane spot
- Botrytis
- Birds
Companions
Comfrey, Borage, Tansy
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun for best fruit
Needs full sun for maximum fruit production and sweetness. Tolerates light shade but yields will be reduced. A warm sheltered spot is ideal.
Watering
Regular during fruiting
Water well during flowering and fruiting to develop large juicy berries. Reduce after harvest. Established plants are moderately drought-tolerant outside the fruiting period.
Fertilizing
Balanced feed in early spring
Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser as buds break in early spring. Mulch generously with well-rotted compost to maintain soil fertility and moisture.
Pruning
Remove fruited canes after harvest
Cut all canes that fruited this year to ground level after harvest in late summer. Tie in the new canes that will fruit next year. Keep the two generations separate on wires.
Support
Wire training essential
Trailing canes need strong horizontal wires or a fence for support. Canes reach 3-4 m. Tie in evenly spaced along the wires as they grow.
Growing Tips
Train on wires
Tie trailing canes along horizontal wires, keeping new and fruiting canes separate for easy management after harvest.
Pick when very dark
Harvest when berries are deep purple-black and very soft. They are fragile and don't store well, so eat or process quickly.
Remove old canes promptly
Cut fruited canes to the ground immediately after harvest. This reduces disease and gives new canes more light.
Protect from birds
Net the plant as fruits begin to colour. The large sweet berries are irresistible to birds.
Popular Varieties
Thornless, Brulee
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 250 cm |
| Row spacing | 200 cm |
| Mature height | 200 cm |
| Mature spread | 200 cm |
Train along wires or a fence. Vigorous trailing canes need strong support.
