Some Raspberries are purple - Ask Extension
We planted a Boyne (Rubus Idaeus) raspberry and a Heritage (Rubus Idaeus) raspberry next to the Boyne bush in June of '23. Berries are ripening now i...
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Some Raspberries are purple #873185
Asked June 15, 2024, 12:06 AM EDT
We planted a Boyne (Rubus Idaeus) raspberry and a Heritage (Rubus Idaeus) raspberry next to the Boyne bush in June of '23. Berries are ripening now in June '24. 1/3 are red, 1/3 are purple, 1/3 are still to ripen. Are the purple berries safe to eat? How did this happen? We were expecting all red berries. Other info: wild blackberries are growing in a nearby field. A blueberry bush is growing in the same raised bed as the raspberries. Thanks for your help.
Yamhill County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Sue,
I wonder if there was a mix up at the nursery from which you purchased the plants and you received some black raspberries, Rhubus occidentalis, also known as blackcaps instead? If you look at the plants themselves, do they appear different from the two cultivars of Boyne and Heritage? Black raspberry canes are different and the fruit is smaller. They are perfectly fine to eat.
The nearby blueberry and blackberries will have no effect on the color of the raspberry fruit.
I wonder if there was a mix up at the nursery from which you purchased the plants and you received some black raspberries, Rhubus occidentalis, also known as blackcaps instead? If you look at the plants themselves, do they appear different from the two cultivars of Boyne and Heritage? Black raspberry canes are different and the fruit is smaller. They are perfectly fine to eat.
The nearby blueberry and blackberries will have no effect on the color of the raspberry fruit.
