Atherton Raspberry! This tropical is native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Unlike the exotic raspberry, this one thrives even in warmer climates. You'll find it growing in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate Queensland. Its bright red berries are not only larger, but also milder in taste than your regular supermarket raspberry.

 

You can enjoy the raw berries, or use them in cakes, jams, jellies, syrups, and sauces or get creative with it.

You can expect this spectacular native to fruit in summer.

Although the tantalising berries will practically invite you for a treat when they turn bright red, its best to wait until the berries easily fall off once disturbed. This way, you can be sure to get the best taste! 

Quick Care

Botanical Name	Rubus probus
Size Plant:	Seedling pot, min 20 cm tall
Frost Tolerance:	Up to -5°C.
Drought Tolerance:	Tolerant once established.
Soil Type:	Well-draining, loamy soil.
Sun:	Full-sun.
Size:	2m Shrub.
Pots:	Does well in pots.
Feeding:	Feed a high-quality native plant food every 6 months.

 

Planting

For best results, plant in a loamy, well-drained soil, and place your plant in full sun. You can also grow in part shade for reasonable results. This dense, prickly bush typically grows up to 2m tall and 2m wide, and may be trellis-trained. It's the perfect little fruiter for a patio or balcony garden.

Frost tolerance

Atherton Raspberry is not typically frost tolerant so keeping your plant well protected is super important. If you live a cooler climate like Melbourne, we recommend to protect it during winter.

Sunlight

This lovely species does well in full sun but it can thrive in part-sun but with lower fruiting amounts.

Maintenance

Watering & Drought Tolerance 

Being a tropical species, drying out is a common cause of death especially for younger plants.
During winter time, you can hold back on watering but as the temperature increases ensure that you're keeping your Atherton Raspberry well watered. When dry, it will wilt which is a good indication of when to water.

Atherton Raspberry isn't very drought tolerant, so in regions with low-rainfall will need to be supplemented by additional watering.

Fertilising your Atherton Raspberry Plant

Being a plant that generates large volumes of fruit, it's important to continue fruiting that you feed regularly. Fertilise with a high-quality, plant food during winter and summer will result in a plant with deep green foilage and lots of fruit. 

Harvesting

Harvesting should be done when the fruit is almost ripe to avoid damaging the fruit when fully ripe. Allow the fruit to fully ripen at home.

Growing Atherton Raspberry in pots

As fast-growing native edible plant, Atherton Raspberry grow quickly if left unchecked. It's super vital especially in pots that it's grown with a trellis to be an upright plant, or left without support to be a shrub. 

Some issues can include drying out or overwatering, which can be easily identified by yellowing leaves or wilted leaves. Keep in a sunny spot on a balcony or backyard.

Use a high-quality potting mix without fillers or additives and add your own plant food for highest success.