Nantahala Raspberry

Nantahala is a primocane-fruiting red raspberry selected for excellent flavor, light-red fruit, and strong postharvest quality. Its crop ripens later than many fall-bearing raspberries, typically from late summer into fall. For a simple single-crop system, cut all canes to the ground in late winter and allow new primocanes to carry the next crop. This cultivar was developed for the mountains and western Piedmont; in hot lowland South Carolina, use morning sun, afternoon shade, deep mulch, steady moisture, and treat performance as a site-dependent trial. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Rubus idaeus 'Nantahala' PP20,689
• Sun: Full sun in cooler sites; morning sun and afternoon shade in hot lowland gardens
• USDA zones: 6–9; best adapted to mountain and western Piedmont conditions
• Mature size: 4–6 ft tall × 2–3 ft row width; spreads by suckers wide
• Chill requirement: Not usually marketed by a fixed chill-hour figure
• Pollination: Self-fertile; bees improve fruit set
• Bloom: Summer on first-year primocanes
• Harvest: Late summer to fall; later than many primocane raspberries
• Fruit: Light-red berries with excellent flavor and postharvest quality
• Water: Consistent moisture in fertile, well-drained soil; mulch to keep roots cool
• Growth habit: Upright, suckering, primocane-fruiting red raspberry
• Pruning and training: For one fall crop, cut all canes to the ground in late winter; trellis or support the row
• Uses: Edible garden, berry row, fresh eating, preserves
• Wildlife value: Flowers support bees; birds may take ripe fruit

Plant size, harvest timing and performance vary with climate, rootstock where applicable, soil, pruning and care.