Position
- Full sun for high fruit yields
- Sheltered from strong winds
- Good air circulation to prevent disease
- Avoid frost pockets
Hardiness
- Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F)
Soil Type
- Well-drained fertile soil
- Moisture-retentive but not waterlogged
- Rich in organic matter
- Loamy soil preferred
Soil PH
- Slightly acidic to neutral
- Grab a soil test kit and ensure the perfect conditions for growth
Height
- Height: 150-180cm (5-6 feet)
- Spread: 50-60cm (20-24 inches) per cane
Seasons of Interest
- Flowering: Late spring to early summer
- Fruiting: Late summer through mid-autumn (August to October)
Additional Notes
- Autumn-fruiting (primocane) variety, producing fruit on the current year’s growth
- Delivers consistently high yields of large, firm, bright red berries with an excellent balance of sweetness and flavour
- Spine-free canes make harvesting easy and comfortable
- Particularly resistant to pests and diseases, including powdery mildew
- Plant 40cm apart in rows, with 1.8m spacing between rows
- Requires support systems like posts and wire for upright growth
- Apply annual mulch to conserve moisture and manage weeds
- Prune all canes to ground level in late winter to promote new growth for the next fruiting season
- Perfect for fresh eating, freezing, and preserves
- Performs reliably in UK conditions, offering a long, plentiful harvest season well into autumn
Grow Juicy and Delicious Fruit with Raspberry Imara
Raspberry Imara is the ultimate autumn fruiting variety for gardening enthusiasts seeking abundant harvests of beautifully coloured and tasty berries. Known for its vigour, high yields, and suitability for various growing conditions, Raspberry Imara is perfect for both experienced gardeners and beginners alike. This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about growing this outstanding primocane variety, from planting to harvest. Whether you want to expand your garden with a reliable crop or enjoy fresh raspberries straight from the cane, you won’t want to miss this guide!
What Makes Raspberry Imara Stand Out?
Raspberry Imara is a standout variety, offering exceptional qualities that set it apart from other autumn-fruiting raspberries. This high-yielding variety starts producing fruit as early as the end of July and continues into autumn. Its attractive, uniform berries, outstanding shelf life, and vigorous growth make it a fantastic choice for those seeking both quality and quantity.
Imara® forms laterals and flower buds along the cane, maximising its fruiting potential. Its ability to thrive in various growing conditions makes it suitable for UK gardens, even in less-than-perfect soil. Let’s dive deeper into why this variety is ideal for your garden.
How Do You Plant Raspberry Imara?
Choosing the Right Spot
Raspberry Imara thrives in a sunny position with well-drained soil. To promote healthy growth, ensure the planting area is free of weeds and large stones. Consider adding well-rotted manure or compost to improve drainage and fertility if your soil is heavy clay.Preparing the Ground
Before planting, dig a wide, shallow trench approximately 60cm deep. Incorporate well-rotted manure or compost into the planting hole to provide essential nutrients. Position the canes 50cm apart, allowing ample air circulation and growth space.Planting the Canes
Bare-root plants should be soaked in water for an hour before planting to rehydrate the roots. Position the canes so the roots are below ground level, and water well immediately after planting. Apply a mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.When Does Raspberry Imara Begin Fruiting?
Imara is an early primocane variety, producing fruit on the current year’s growth. Fruiting begins in late July, with 50% of the crop ready to harvest by early September. This extended growing season provides a steady supply of fresh fruit into autumn, making it perfect for gardeners who enjoy a prolonged harvest period.
How to Care for Your Raspberry Imara Plants
Supporting the Canes
Raspberry canes can grow up to 150cm tall and benefit from support as they develop. Use a post-and-wire system or bamboo canes to keep them upright and prevent wind damage. Tie the canes onto their supports loosely to allow for natural movement.Pruning Your Canes
After harvesting, cut back all the canes to ground level during the dormant season. This encourages strong, healthy new growth for the next season. Restrict the number of primocanes to six per plant to ensure optimal airflow and fruit production.
Feeding and Watering
Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods, to maintain healthy growth. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to promote fruiting. Mulch around the base of the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.What Are the Benefits of Growing Raspberry Imara?
High Yields
Imara® is known for its exceptional cropping potential. Each plant can produce an average of 1.8kg of fruit per season. This heavy-cropping variety ensures plenty of berries for fresh eating, preserving, or baking.
Outstanding Shelf Life
Raspberry Imara berries have an outstanding shelf life, making them ideal for gardeners who wish to store or transport their harvest. The fruit maintains its firmness and flavour for several days, ensuring you enjoy fresh, high-quality raspberries.
Easy to Pick
Imara berries are uniform in size and detach easily from the canes, making harvesting a breeze. This feature is handy for gardeners with larger plots or those prefer low-effort maintenance.
Is Raspberry Imara Suitable for Containers?
How to Maximise Your Harvest
Inspect for Pests and Diseases
Although Raspberry Imara is generally robust, regular inspections for pests and diseases are essential. Remove any affected leaves or canes to prevent the spread of issues. Ensure good air circulation to minimise fungal problems.
Planting Multiple Canes
To maximise your harvest, consider planting multiple canes. Space them 50cm apart and tie them to supports for easier management. A wigwam of canes can also create a decorative and productive feature in your garden.Mulching and Feeding
Apply a mulch of well-rotted manure or compost each spring to retain moisture and provide essential nutrients. Feed the plants with a potassium-rich fertiliser during the growing season to support fruit production.Why Choose Raspberry Imara for Your Garden?
Imara is a versatile and reliable raspberry variety that combines high yields, great flavour, and ease of care. Its ability to fruit on primocanes means you can enjoy fresh raspberries from late summer through autumn. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, this variety will impress.
From Darren’s Patch
Although I’m not currently growing Raspberry Imara in my garden, I’ve kept a close eye on its performance, and I have to say, it’s an impressive variety. The early and extended cropping window makes it a tempting choice, especially if you love picking fresh berries straight into autumn. I particularly like how well it grows in containers, which is a big plus for gardeners with limited space. The combination of high yields, firm fruit, and low-maintenance care makes it a real contender for future planting in my patch. Imara’s definitely worth a go if you’re after a reliable, productive raspberry that fits easily into most gardens.
Key Points to Remember:
- Plant Raspberry Imara in a sunny position with well-drained soil
- Use a post-and-wire system or bamboo canes for support
- Prune the canes to ground level each winter to encourage new growth
- Water regularly and apply mulch to retain moisture
- Inspect for pests and diseases to keep your plants healthy
With these tips, you’ll enjoy an abundant harvest of delicious, beautifully coloured raspberries season after season.
For more information on Fruit for your garden, please click here
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are Imara Raspberry Canes?
A: Imara Raspberry Canes are fantastic autumn-fruiting raspberry plants that are perfect for your garden. They produce delicious raspberries and are very easy to grow!
Q: When do Imara raspberry plants begin fruiting?
A: Imara raspberry plants begin fruiting from the end of July and continue producing until mid-September, giving you plenty of delicious berries!
Q: Do Imara raspberries have spines?
A: Yes, Imara raspberries have small, unobtrusive spines, so picking the fruit is relatively hassle-free!
Q: How much yield can I expect from each Imara raspberry plant?
A: You can expect around 1.8kg of fruit per plant. By mid-September, you could have enjoyed about half its yield – many tasty raspberries!
Q: How should I prepare the planting hole for Imara raspberry canes?
A: Mix some garden compost or well-rotted manure into the planting hole to provide nutrients and help the raspberry plant get off to a strong start.
Q: What is the estimated time to crop Imara raspberry canes?
A: You can generally expect the first crop from your Imara raspberry canes within 1-2 years after planting, depending on the care they receive and the local climate.
Q: Do I need to do anything special to encourage growth for Imara raspberry canes?
A: Not at all! Imara raspberry canes are low-maintenance and don’t require much attention. With just a little care, they’ll thrive beautifully in your garden!