Common Red Raspberry

How to grow Common Red Raspberry

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant bare-root canes from late autumn to early spring, about 40 cm apart in rows, with the roots just covered — planting too deep is a common cause of failure. Put in a post-and-wire support first. Cut canes back to about 25 cm after planting and do not expect a crop in the first year.

Pruning

Depends on the type, and getting this wrong is the usual reason for poor crops. Summer-fruiting raspberries fruit on last year's canes: cut fruited canes to the ground after picking and tie in the new ones. Autumn-fruiting kinds fruit on the current year's canes: cut every cane to ground level in February.

Propagation

Lift and replant rooted suckers in autumn or winter. Only take material from healthy stock, as virus spreads this way; certified canes are the safer start.

Pests and diseases

Raspberry beetle grubs in the fruit are the classic nuisance. Cane blight and spur blight cause dieback in wet conditions. Raspberry viruses build up over years and gradually reduce yield, which is why plantings are usually replaced after about ten years. Net against birds.

Value to wildlife

Flowers are heavily visited by bumblebees; any fruit you miss is quickly taken by birds.

Notes

Mulch annually with compost but keep it clear of the canes. Suckers travel well beyond the row and need pulling out each year, or the bed slowly turns into a thicket.

Some structured details on this page (such as tolerances, pH and hardiness) come from USDA PLANTS Database (public domain). The written guidance is GardenDecoded's own, researched as described in our editorial policy.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Rubus idaeus but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

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