Raspberry, Ever-bearing, Red 'Caroline' (Live Plant)

Key Characteristics

• Origin: 'Caroline' is an ever-bearing (primocane-fruiting) red raspberry cultivar developed at the University of Maryland and released in 1999. It is a cross between 'GEO-1' and 'Heritage'. It is known for producing large, flavorful fruit earlier than 'Heritage' and with better disease resistance.
• Patent Status: 'Caroline' Red Raspberry was protected by **U.S. Plant Patent PP10,412**, held by University of Wisconsin at River Falls, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc, and University of Maryland College Park until it expired on 2016-04-10. It is now considered a public domain variety and can be freely propagated and distributed.
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• Berry Production: Produces large, conic, firm, and cohesive bright red berries with a very good, sweet-tart flavor reminiscent of 'Glen Moy'. It is a high-yielding variety, producing a significant fall crop on primocanes and often a smaller summer crop on floricanes. The fruit is reported to be larger and more flavorful than 'Heritage', especially in warmer climates.
• Ripening Time: As an ever-bearing variety, 'Caroline' produces two crops. The **floricane crop** ripens in **early summer (July)**, and the main **primocane crop** ripens **early in the fall (August)** and continues until frost, typically 1-3 weeks earlier than 'Heritage'.
• Plant Size and Appearance: 'Caroline' has a vigorous, upright to slightly arching growth habit, typically reaching 3 to 6 feet tall. It has moderate suckering, producing around 75% as many canes as 'Heritage'. The canes are thorny. Trellising with a simple 2-foot horizontal wire is recommended to support the heavy fall crop.
• Flowers: Produces typical white raspberry flowers in spring and summer.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy in USDA Zones **4 through 8**, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates. Some sources suggest it can grow in Zone 9 as well.
• Pollination: Red raspberries are self-fertile, and 'Caroline' does not require a pollinator to set fruit.
• Growing Conditions:
  • Sunlight: Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) for optimal fruit production and flavor. Tolerates partial shade but with potentially reduced yield.
  • Soil: Prefers organically rich, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5), moist but well-drained soils. Avoid areas where tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, or peppers have been grown recently due to Verticillium wilt susceptibility. Good air drainage is also important.
  • Watering: Needs consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water deeply and regularly, particularly during dry periods. Avoid waterlogged soils.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring. A second lighter application can be given in early summer to support the fall crop.
  • Pruning:** For a single fall crop, cut all canes back to 4-6 inches in late winter or early spring. For a dual crop, prune out the floricanes after they fruit in summer and thin the primocanes in late winter, leaving the strongest ones to produce the fall crop.