Raspberry Serpells Willamette - Trenton Cottage
Raspberry Serpells Willamette - Trenton Cottage
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Raspberry Serpells Willamette

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Bring flavour, reliability, and beauty to your garden with Raspberry Serpells Willamette (Rubus idaeus). This high-yielding, almost thornless variety produces an abundance of large, deep red berries bursting with sweet-tart flavour from mid-summer to autumn. It grows best in cool, temperate, and arid climates, performing reliably in areas with a defined winter chill. With a semi-erect growth habit, it’s well suited to garden beds or large pots and benefits from being trained along a trellis or fence to support productive growth and make harvesting easier. Whether enjoyed fresh, frozen, or made into jams and desserts, this nutrient-rich raspberry delivers a rewarding harvest season after season.

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Description

Raspberry Serpells Willamette (Rubus idaeus) 

Raspberry Serpells Willamette is a reliable, high-yielding summer raspberry known for its large, dark red fruit with a balanced sweet-tart flavour. This nearly thornless, self-fertile variety produces berries on canes in their second year of growth. Each spring, vigorous new stems emerge and grow rapidly, establishing the framework for the following season. These stems mature and harden over winter, then flower and fruit the next summer, while a fresh set of stems begins to grow, continuing the cycle. With a semi-erect habit, plants reach around 1.5 m tall and 50 cm wide, and are well suited to garden beds or large pots when supported. A trellis, wire, or fence is recommended to keep canes upright and productive. This variety performs best in cool, temperate, and arid climates with a distinct winter chill.

Uses and Nutritional Content

These large, juicy berries are perfect for fresh eating, smoothies, jams, and sauces. The fruit ripens quickly, making it ideal for bulk processing. Nutritionally, raspberries are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and antioxidants like ellagic acid and anthocyanins, which promote immune health, heart health, and digestion.

When to Plant

Plant from winter to early spring while dormant, when the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged. If you can’t plant immediately, store canes in a cool, dry place and plant as soon as possible.

Where to Plant

Plant in a permanent position with full sun to part shade, either in the ground or in a pot, ensuring good airflow and well-drained soil. In hot regions, afternoon shade is beneficial to protect the leaves and fruit. Choose a site sheltered from strong winds to prevent cane breakage and stress. Avoid low-lying or damp areas where poor drainage may lead to root problems.

Soil Requirements

Raspberries thrive in rich, well-drained, moist soil. For optimal growth, ensure:

  • pH: Slightly acidic to near neutral (6.5–6.8).
  • Drainage: Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. Improve drainage by adding organic matter if necessary.
  • Enrichment: Enrich the soil with well-rotted compost or aged manure to improve fertility and moisture retention.

Training

Raspberries need support due to their long, flexible canes. Use a trellis, wire, or fence — suitable for garden beds or pots.

As primocanes (first-year green canes) grow, tie them to one side of the support. These won’t fruit in their first year. Once they reach 1.2–1.5 m, tip-prune above a node to promote branching.

By the second year, these canes become woody floricanes and will bear fruit. Tie the new primocanes to the opposite side to keep fruiting and non-fruiting canes organised in a repeating cycle.

How to Plant

  • Soak Before Planting: Soak the raspberry canes in a bucket of water for 1–2 hours before planting to rehydrate the roots and help them establish more easily.
  • Planting Depth: Dig a hole wide and deep enough to comfortably spread the roots. Position the cane so the crown (where roots meet the cane) is just below soil level — no more than a few centimetres deep.
  • Spacing: Space plants about 40–60 cm apart within the row to allow them to form a productive hedgerow while maintaining airflow. Leave 1.5 metres between rows to ensure easy access for maintenance and harvesting.
  • Backfilling: Fill the hole with the original soil or a soil-compost mix, firming gently. Water thoroughly and apply mulch around the base, avoiding direct contact with the crown.

Growing in Pots
If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 40 cm deep and wide with good drainage, and fill it with a premium potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter. Follow the same planting and care steps as for growing in the ground. Plant only one cane per pot to reduce overcrowding, allow adequate airflow, and ensure the plant has enough space to develop a strong root system.

Pruning 

Raspberry Serpells Willamette fruits on second-year canes (floricanes). After summer harvest, cut back all canes that fruited — they won’t produce again. At the same time, remove any weak or damaged growth and thin the primocanes, keeping only the 6–8 strongest. Tie these to one side of the support, spaced for airflow and access.

Primocanes grow vigorously through spring and summer. Allow them to reach a height of around 1.2–1.5 m before tip-pruning just above a node — this encourages strong lateral branching and sets the plant up for a productive crop the following year.

If runners or suckers appear, remove them promptly to prevent overcrowding. Alternatively, allow a few to root if you wish to propagate new plants.

Care and Maintenance

Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in spring and summer. Water at the base of the plant, ensuring good drainage.

Feeding: In early spring, feed with a complete fertiliser such as fish emulsion, blood and bone, compost, or well-rotted manure. A light summer feed with a high-potassium fertiliser (like tomato food or sulphate of potash) can support fruiting and primocane development, especially in pots. No feeding is needed in autumn. In winter, apply compost and mulch to protect roots.

Harvesting

Raspberry Serpells Willamette fruits ripen over a short period during summer, but this can vary from early summer to mid-autumn depending on your climate and region. The fruit is ready when it is fully coloured, plump, and easily detaches from the plant. Harvest every few days to ensure optimal freshness.

Pests and Diseases

Common pests include aphids, spider mites, fruit flies, and birds. Control with insecticidal soap, netting, and prompt harvesting. Diseases such as Botrytis (grey mould) and rust can appear in humid conditions—ensure good airflow and remove infected material.

Safety

Raspberry fruit is edible, but other parts of the plant—leaves, roots, and canes—should not be consumed. While safe to touch, the canes do produce some thorns despite being nearly thornless, so handle with care and supervise children and pets around plants.

Supplied as bare-rooted canes.

Additional information

Price Code

D – Purple Pack
Botanical Name

Rubus idaeus
Quantity in Pack

2 Canes
Harvest Time

Summer to Autumn
Planting Time

Plant from winter to early spring. Ensure the soil is workable, not frozen or waterlogged. Protect young plants from frost by using frost cloth or planting in pots ready to be transferred to the ground once the ground is suitable for planting.
Planting Depth

Plant so that the roots sit approximately 10 cm deep, with the crown positioned just below the soil surface — no more than a few centimetres. Avoid planting too deep, as this can cause rot, or too shallow, which may expose the roots. Ensure the hole is wide and deep enough to comfortably spread the roots.

The crown is the point where the roots meet the base of the canes — often slightly swollen and marked with small buds. This should sit just below the soil surface after planting.
Planting Width

Plant 40–60 cm apart within rows, with 1.5 metres between each row.
Soil

Raspberries grow best in rich, moist, and well-drained soil. To prevent root rot, avoid waterlogged conditions by ensuring good drainage. A slightly acidic to near-neutral pH between 6.5 and 6.8 is ideal. Improve fertility, structure, and moisture retention by incorporating well-rotted compost or aged manure.

Avoid planting in heavy clay unless the soil has been improved with organic matter to enhance drainage.

Well-prepared soil encourages strong root development and vigorous cane growth, supporting productive harvests.

When growing in pots, use a high-quality, free-draining potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter to support healthy root development and consistent growth.
How to Plant

Choose a sunny spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In areas with extreme heat, some afternoon shade can help reduce plant stress, particularly in exposed locations. However, avoid planting in areas with too much shade, as this can reduce fruit production and lead to weak, leggy growth. Good airflow is also important to help prevent disease.

If planting in a windy location, consider installing a windbreak to shield plants from strong, damaging gusts. This protects the canes and supports healthy growth.

Dig a hole wide and deep enough to comfortably spread the roots. Position the plant so that the roots sit approximately 10 cm deep, with the crown positioned just below the soil surface — no more than a few centimetres. This promotes strong root growth for better establishment and drought resilience, but avoid planting too deeply, as this can lead to cane rot or poor growth.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart within rows, with 1.5 metre between rows to allow for airflow and ease of maintenance.

Backfill the hole with the original soil or a mix of soil and compost, then gently firm the soil around the roots to remove air pockets.

If your soil is slow-draining, create a small mound at the base of the hole and spread the roots over it to improve drainage and prevent pooling. Alternatively, plant in raised beds to further enhance drainage.

Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

In areas with drier conditions or low humidity, improve water retention by mixing in organic matter like compost or coco peat at planting and applying mulch to help keep the soil cool and moist.

Finish by applying a generous layer of mulch, such as straw, sugarcane, or compost, around the base of the plant. Keep mulch a few centimetres clear of the crown to prevent rot.

If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 40 cm deep and wide with good drainage, and fill it with a premium potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter. Follow the same planting and care steps as for growing in the ground. Plant only one cane per pot to reduce overcrowding, allow adequate airflow, and ensure the plant has enough space to develop a strong root system.
Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing and fruiting season (spring and summer). Inconsistent or insufficient watering can lead to small, dry, or misshapen berries and may reduce overall yield. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases. Use a watering can or hose to apply water slowly and evenly.

To avoid waterlogging, ensure your soil is well-drained. If the soil tends to retain water, consider improving drainage by adding organic matter like compost, or plant on a slight mound to help water flow away from the roots. Raised beds or containers with drainage holes also help keep water from collecting around the roots.

In containers, check the moisture regularly as pots can dry out faster than garden beds. Adjust watering accordingly, especially in warmer weather.

During winter, water only if the soil is dry, particularly in drier climates, as the plant is dormant and requires minimal water. Avoid watering during frost periods, as frozen soil can prevent water absorption and may damage the roots.
Fertilise

Apply a complete fertiliser in spring to support new growth. This will provide essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) for strong growth and healthy development.

In summer, use a high-potassium fertiliser to support berry production. This helps produce larger, healthier fruit. Apply as per the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfeeding.

After the fruiting season ends, stop fertilising. The plant enters dormancy and won’t require nutrients during this period. Instead, add a layer of compost and mulch (such as straw, sugarcane, or lucerne) around the base of the plant. Compost will provide nutrients as it decomposes, while mulch will protect the root system, retain moisture, and prepare the plant for the next growing season.

In following years, apply a complete fertiliser each spring to support healthy growth and fruiting. Even when compost or manure is added in winter, a spring feed helps maintain plant vigour and optimise yields.
Pruning

Raspberry ‘Serpells Willamette’ produces fruit on second-year canes, known as floricanes. These woody canes will not fruit again and should be cut back to ground level after harvest. Alternatively, pruning can be carried out in winter once the canes have dropped their leaves. Winter pruning can make it easier to distinguish between old and new canes, particularly in cooler climates. Whichever timing you choose, removing spent floricanes prevents overcrowding, improves airflow, and reduces the risk of disease. At the same time, thin out any weak or damaged stems and retain only 6–8 of the strongest new canes per plant — these will form the following year’s crop.

These first-year canes (primocanes) grow vigorously through spring and summer and become floricanes the following season. Once they return in spring and reach a height of 1.2–1.5 m, tip-prune just above a node to encourage lateral branching. These side shoots will mature and carry fruit in the upcoming summer harvest. If tip-pruning is missed, the canes will still fruit, but often with fewer points of production.

Suckers and runners may also appear throughout the season. These can be removed to keep the planting area tidy and manageable or allowed to establish if you'd like to propagate new plants. Tying fruiting and non-fruiting canes to opposite sides of the support system makes annual pruning easier and keeps your plants productive and well-structured.
Harvest

Raspberry Serpells Willamette is ready to harvest from mid-summer to autumn. The fruit ripens quickly over a short period, so pick every few days to enjoy the freshest berries. Harvest in the morning while the fruit is cool and firm, which helps reduce bruising and preserve flavour. Select berries that are fully coloured, plump, and detach easily from the plant with a gentle pull. Handle carefully, as raspberries are delicate. They should be consumed or processed within a few days, but can be frozen for longer storage. Cover plants with netting to protect against birds and other wildlife attracted to ripe fruit.
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