Description
Raspberry ‘Heritage’
Raspberry ‘Heritage’ (Rubus idaeus ‘Heritage’, family Rosaceae) is a vigorous, disease-resistant autumn-bearing raspberry ideal for Australian gardens. It produces a reliable crop of large, firm red berries on first-year canes from late summer through to autumn, with fruiting lasting up to 12 weeks from February in many regions. Berries are sweet and excellent for fresh eating, preserving, or freezing. With strong, upright canes and excellent adaptability, ‘Heritage’ performs well in cool, temperate, arid, and mild-winter climates.
Growth Habit
A clump-forming, deciduous raspberry with strong, upright canes that reach 1–1.5 m tall and around 50 cm wide. As a primocane type, it fruits on first-year canes, which are pruned out after harvest. New canes emerge annually from the crown or underground suckers and benefit from support once fruit forms.
Climate Suitability
‘Heritage’ suits a wide range of climates. It is both frost-hardy and heat-tolerant, thriving in areas with long summers and mild autumns. Afternoon shade helps reduce stress in hotter climates, and its low chill requirement makes it suitable for warmer regions where traditional raspberries may not perform as well.
Position & Soil
Plant in a permanent position with:
• Full sun to part shade
• Well-drained, moderately acidic soil
• Protection from strong winds
• Good airflow to reduce disease risk
Prepare the soil before planting by enriching it with well-rotted manure or compost, and consider applying a complete fertiliser to support strong early growth. Avoid low-lying, damp areas where drainage is poor.
Training
Canes benefit from support as fruit develops. Use a trellis, wire, or fence system to keep the canes upright, reduce breakage, and improve airflow. Tie canes loosely to the support to avoid damage and allow flexibility as they grow. Supporting the canes also makes harvesting easier and keeps fruit clean by preventing it from touching the ground.
Planting
• Soak bare-rooted canes in water for 1–2 hours before planting to rehydrate roots
• Plant with roots around 10 cm deep and the crown just below the soil surface
• Avoid planting too deep (risk of rot) or too shallow (exposed roots)
• Dig a wide, deep hole to comfortably spread roots
• Water in thoroughly after planting
Growing in Pots
Raspberry ‘Heritage’ grows well in large pots. Choose containers at least 40 cm deep and wide, filled with premium potting mix enriched with compost. Plant one cane per pot to prevent overcrowding. Position in full sun to part shade, with protection from harsh afternoon sun.
Fertilising
Feed in late winter to early spring as new growth begins, using a complete fertiliser or well-composted organic matter. Apply before mulching and lightly work into the soil. In nutrient-poor soils, a second light feed in early summer may be helpful. Avoid overfeeding, which may result in excessive leafy growth.
Mulching
Apply mulch in late winter to early spring after pruning and fertilising. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots from heat or cold. Keep mulch away from cane bases to prevent rot and top up during the growing season as needed.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, especially in dry or windy weather and while fruiting. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Potted plants dry out faster and may need more frequent watering. Reduce watering in winter when dormant.
Pruning
‘Heritage’ fruits on first-year canes that grow and fruit within the same season. Once the plant becomes dormant, prune all canes to ground level in mid to late winter to encourage strong new growth in spring. In warmer climates, tip-pruning new canes in spring (at around 60 cm) can help delay fruiting slightly and encourage lateral branching, allowing the plant to avoid setting fruit during the hottest part of late summer. This delay is usually only by a couple of weeks and still fits comfortably within the typical February to April fruiting window. In cooler climates, leaving the cane tips intact allows fruit to appear earlier near the top of the cane, giving it more time to ripen before the weather cools. Tip-pruning isn’t required — plants will still produce well without it, making pruning simple and flexible.
Suckers & Runners
‘Heritage’ sends up suckers from its root system. Remove unwanted shoots to avoid overcrowding and keep the bed manageable. Strong suckers may be left to establish new plants. Maintain a 40–50 cm wide growing strip for good airflow and access.
Harvest
Raspberries are ready to harvest when the fruit is fully coloured, plump, and detaches easily from the plant. Check plants every few days during the harvest period and pick fruit promptly to maintain quality and prevent spoilage. Handle with care, as raspberries are delicate and bruise easily. Store in shallow containers and refrigerate soon after picking for best results.
Pests and Diseases
Raspberries ‘Heritage’ is well known for its strong disease resistance, making it a reliable and low-maintenance choice for home gardeners. While it’s less prone to common fungal problems such as grey mould, cane blight, or rust, maintaining good airflow, avoiding overhead watering, and removing any damaged material still helps support healthy growth. Aphids and scale may occasionally appear and can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if needed. Fruit fly may be a concern in some regions, and birds are known to target ripening berries — use netting to protect your crop. Check plants regularly throughout the season to keep them at their best.
Safety
The fruit is edible, but other plant parts should not be consumed. Wear gloves when pruning to avoid scratches from the thorny canes and supervise children and pets during fruiting.
Supplied as a bare-rooted cane.