Black Raspberry-Rubus occidentalis
Black Raspberry-Rubus occidentalis
Inky-sweet harvests. Native bramble with backbone.
Rubus occidentalis, the Black Raspberry, is a cold-hardy North American bramble prized for its deep, jam-ready berries, aromatic canes, and wildlife value. Tough, productive, and easy to train, it thrives on homesteads and in food forests—delivering reliable summer yields with minimal fuss.
- Rich, dark berries packed with flavor for fresh eating, jams, and baking
- Cold-hardy and resilient—performs across a wide range of climates
- High wildlife value—flowers feed pollinators; fruit feeds birds and beneficials
- Trellis-friendly habit for tidy rows, easy pruning, and fast harvests
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Rubus occidentalis
- Stratification: Recommended (60–90 days cold stratification for best germination)
- USDA Zones: 4–8
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained loam; slightly acidic (pH 6.0–6.8)
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (more sun = more fruit)
- Height/Spread: 3–6 ft tall × 3–5 ft wide (with support)
- Growth Rate: Fast
Plant Black Raspberry seeds for vigorous canes and inky-sweet fruit—compact, productive, and built for real-world gardens.
FAQ
Do Black Raspberries need a trellis?
They benefit from support. A simple T-post or wire trellis keeps canes upright, improves airflow, and speeds harvest.
When will they fruit?
Typically in the second year on floricanes. First-year canes (primocanes) grow vegetatively, then fruit the following season.
How should I prune?
Tip primocanes at 24–30 inches to encourage branching. After fruiting, remove spent floricanes at the base to make room for new growth.
Related Seeds
- American Beautyberry Seeds — Wildlife-magnet berries and bold color
- American Black Elderberry Seeds — Vigorous native for syrups and hedgerows
- Blue Elderberry Tree Seeds — Fast-growing, pollinator-friendly fruiting shrub
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare, resilient, high-germination seeds. Every order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with clear planting instructions for success from seed to first harvest.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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