Raspberry Paris: Sweet Berries for Fresh Eating and Desserts

Rubus idaeus

If you’re looking for an exceptional mid-season raspberry, Raspberry ‘Paris’ is a fantastic choice. This primocane variety is known for its incredible productivity, large fruit, and outstanding shelf life. Its strong, self-supporting canes make it particularly appealing, which makes it surprisingly easy to grow and manage. Plus, its bright, attractive berries boast a delightful aromatic flavour. Whether growing raspberries for fresh eating, preserving them, or adding them to your favourite desserts, Raspberry ‘Paris’ is a fantastic addition to any garden.

Growing Raspberry ‘Paris’ means opting for convenience and fantastic flavour. Its naturally strong, self-supporting canes are a huge plus, meaning you won’t need complex trellising, making it wonderfully easy to plant and care for. This contributes to its reputation as an easy-to-grow raspberry, even for those newer to gardening. Thanks to their vibrant colour and distinctive aromatic flavour, you’ll get plenty of large, attractive berries that are a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. And with their excellent shelf life, you can enjoy them fresh, use them for fruit preservation like jams, or bake them into delicious desserts. For a reliable, high-quality crop with less fuss, Raspberry ‘Paris’ is a top pick for your garden.

Plant your Raspberry ‘Paris’ in a well-drained, sunny spot for the best possible results. Raspberries dislike soggy conditions, leading to problems like root rot. Good air circulation around the plants is also essential to help prevent diseases such as powdery mildew. Paris’ raspberries thrive in soil rich in minerals and can hold moisture well, which helps ensure vigorous growth and a healthy, bountiful crop.

1. Space your canes: Give them plenty of room to grow vigorously by spacing them 40-50cm (16-20 inches) apart.
2. Enrich the soil: Before planting, prepare the area by adding plenty of well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.
3. Water well: After planting, thoroughly water your canes. This helps them establish strong root systems.
4. Add support (if needed): While ‘Paris’ canes are self-supporting, you can still train them on fences or posts for extra support, especially in windy areas.

1. Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch (like straw or manure) to help retain moisture in the soil and keep weeds down.
2. Prune regularly: Remember to prune old canes at ground level in late winter to encourage fresh, new growth that will produce fruit.
3. Monitor for pests: Look for pests. If you spot them, use biological controls (like beneficial insects) to manage them naturally.

Raspberry ‘Paris’ is a primocane variety that produces fruit on new canes growing in the current year. This greatly simplifies pruning! Prune all canes down to ground level in late winter (around February or early March) to encourage a fresh, productive flush of growth each spring.

• Remove weak canes: Always remove any weak or diseased canes. This keeps your plant healthy and directs energy to the strongest growth.
• Maintain an open structure: Aim to keep the plant’s structure open. This allows for plenty of light and air circulation, which is vital for fruit development and disease prevention.
• Keep it vigorous: Consistent pruning ensures your plant remains vigorous and highly productive year after year.

• Beetles and aphids: If you spot these, consider using biological controls like beneficial insects (e.g., ladybirds) to help reduce infestations naturally.
• Powdery mildew: To prevent this fungal issue, ensure good air circulation around your plants and avoid excessive moisture on the leaves, especially in the evenings.
• Birds: Birds love ripe raspberries! Protect your ripening fruit with netting to prevent them from enjoying your harvest before you do.

This variety has no significant susceptibility to pests or diseases, which is fantastic news for gardeners. It makes ‘Paris’ a superb choice for those seeking naturally healthier plants and wanting to minimise their reliance on sprays.

Raspberry ‘Paris’ produces its main crop in mid-season, so you can expect to start picking your delicious fruit from late July. The berries should be firm, vibrantly coloured, and full of that lovely aromatic flavour.

• Fresh Eating: With its aromatic flavour, ‘Paris’ raspberries are perfect for enjoying straight from the plant – a real summer treat.
• Preserves and Jams: Their naturally high pectin content makes them ideal for making homemade jams and other preserves.
• Baking: These raspberries are wonderful in tarts, cakes, muffins, and other desserts.
• Freezing: ‘Paris’ raspberries freeze beautifully for enjoyment throughout the year. Spread them in a single layer on a tray, freeze, and then transfer to an airtight container.

Raspberry ‘Paris’ has become one of my go-to varieties in the garden. What I love most is its combination of strength and simplicity – those sturdy, self-supporting canes make life much easier, especially when space or time is tight. I don’t need to faff about with elaborate supports, yet I still get an impressive crop of beautifully aromatic berries. They’re perfect for snacking straight off the cane, but I also freeze a good batch each year for winter crumbles and breakfast smoothies. Growing a raspberry that doesn’t demand much but gives so much in return is an absolute pleasure. If you’re looking to produce fruit that truly earns its keep, ‘Paris’ is a brilliant choice – reliable, tasty, and rewarding season after season.

• Planting: Choose a well-drained, sunny location with nutrient-rich soil.
• Pruning: Cut all canes to ground level in late winter for a fresh spring crop.
• Pest Control: Use biological controls to manage pests effectively.
• Harvesting: Pick from late July onwards and enjoy fresh, preserved, or frozen berries.
• Ease of Growth: Its strong, self-supporting canes make ‘Paris’ wonderfully easy to grow and manage.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow Raspberry Paris in your garden and enjoy an abundant harvest of delicious fruit year after year!

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Read about Raspberry Polka here

Q: Can I plant Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants near my soft fruit bushes?

A: Absolutely! They grow brilliantly alongside other soft fruit bushes like blackberries and elderberries. Ensure the area is well-drained to keep all your plants happy and healthy!

Q: How do I propagate Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants?

A: Propagation is relatively straightforward! You can take freshly dug canes (suckers) and plant them directly in your garden. Just pick healthy pieces for the best results. Since they’re known for their self-supporting canes, you typically won’t need to worry too much about staking them.

Q: Are Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants hardy in different weather conditions?

A: Yes, they’re pretty resilient! While they prefer well-drained soil, they can handle various weather conditions, making them an excellent choice for many gardens. They’re also fairly cold-hardy, which helps them survive colder months.

Q: When is the best time to plant Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants?

A: The best time to plant these beauties is early spring, when they are in season. You want to give them enough time to establish before the primary growing season begins.

Q: How do I care for my Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants?

A: Caring for them is straightforward! Just ensure they’re planted in a sunny spot with well-drained soil and remember to water them regularly. If pests become an issue, you can also use biological controls.

Q: What kind of fruits can I expect from Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants?

A: You can look forward to fantastic red fruits with a lovely aromatic flavour. They’re perfect for snacking straight from the plant or adding to your favourite puddings!

Q: Can I grow Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants on walls or fences?

A: Definitely! They can be trained to grow on walls, fences, and posts. Just ensure you use a solid, UV-resistant material for support, and you’ll enjoy a fantastic display of berries!

Q: How do I know when my Rubus idaeus ‘Paris’ raspberry plants are ready to harvest?

A: When the berries turn a vibrant red and feel slightly soft to the touch, they’re ready for picking! This usually happens in late summer, typically from late July onwards. Just remember to enjoy them while they’re fresh!