Boysenberry Plant
Description
About Boysenberry Plants
The Boysenberry plant is known for producing large, juicy, dark purple berries that are used for baking delectable desserts and making wonderful jam. This is a hybrid plant, having blackberry, raspberry, loganberry, and dewberry in its parentage. It is a bramble, and its scientific classification is rubus ursinus x rubus idaeus.
The Boysenberry was developed by Rudolph Boysen in Anaheim, California, in the 1920’s. It was another berry farmer in the area, however, who popularized the fruit--Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Mr. Knott began growing the berries in the early 1930’s, and his wife, Cordelia Knott, made them into jams and pies. The popularity of her cooking with Boysenberries (and her famous fried chicken) led in large part to the eventual development of the amusement park known today as Knott’s Berry Farm.
This vining bramble produces small white flowers in the spring. The plant grows thin, thorny canes from its fibrous roots.
Stark Bro’s Boysenberries are from the original Boysen cultivar.
The Fruit
Boysenberries are larger and sweeter than blackberries, but comparable to them and raspberries in taste.
Enjoy this rare treat! Boysenberries are not typically found in grocery stores, due to their fragility. This also means that the berries should be processed quickly after harvest. One common way to do so is by making jams and jellies.
Use Boysenberries to bake delicious treats like cakes, pies, and turnovers. Add as a flavoring for ice cream, cream cheese, or pancakes. And don’t forget to use these sweet berries in savory dishes, where sauces can compliment roasted pork or beef.
Boysenberries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidants found in plants that contain dark red coloring. They are high in vitamin C and also contain vitamins K and E, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
Growth and Care
Boysenberries are one of a group of brambles known as trailing blackberries, meaning the plant needs to be supported by a trellis system. The other type is erect, which does not need outside support. Boysenberries can be successfully grown in pots, with proper trellis support.
Plant Boysenberries in full sun and well-drained soil. Water the plant at its base to avoid fungus growth. This plant is heat tolerant and self-pollinating. It is not cold-hardy, so be sure to check its USDA zone compatibility. To protect them during the occasional frost, plants should be covered with hay or other insulating materials.
Plants should start producing berries in one to two years. Harvest is in late July. Pruning should be done following the harvest in late autumn over the winter.
Buy a Boysenberry plant and enjoy an abundance of deliciously sweet, dark purple berries!
Survival Guaranteed!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Fruit Color | Purple |
| Fruit Size | Extra Large |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 6 - 9 |
| Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
| Ripens/Harvest | Late July |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy, Sandy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained - Average Moistness |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 6.5 |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Texture | Firm |
| Years to Bear | 1 - 2 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Recommended Spacing
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow hybrid berry plants in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
Try this process: 1. Pruning out old canes that have already fruited (they will be more dry and brown than the remaining canes). 2. Prune back the ends of the rest of the canes to 18 inches from the ground or whatever suits your growing space once the plants are dormant. This will help you develop a system of maintaining your boysenberry plants for optimum fruit production. Be sure to remove any damaged, diseased, or dead canes at any point in time you notice them.
I use fancy metal fencing 36" wide x 42" high, that I purchased at Lowe's. But nothing this fancy is necessary, rather this style fits well into my overall garden design. But any STURDY trellis that is at least 40" high will serve well. I believe that Boysenberry is related to Blackberry; it most certainly brambles and grows in a similar manner. So you need a STRONG/STURDY trellising. And gloves; I forgot how thorny Boysenberries are! Hope this helps.
I can answer your question with my own experience. I received the 6 pack and not the 1 gallon container. I planted my berries in the spring and did not get any berries which is expected the first year. I will be able to tell you in July how many berries per plant for year two.
My plants have been in the ground since Spring 2016 and although the small
thorns were tenacious early in the season, by the time they bloomed and I was picking fruit, they didn't seem to be a problem. As if maybe they softened slightly. Definitely tricky to handle though when working to train them on the trellis in the early part of the season. You'll need heavy gloves for that job.
Space your plants 3-4 feet apart.
Dig a hole around 5 inches deep and spread the roots out, keeping the crown of the roots level with the soil surface.
Cover them with soil, tamping down firmly with your hand.
Trim the cane to a length of 10 inches.
Water your plant thoroughly and fertilize with a potash-rich fertilizer. (If planting in the fall, wait to fertilize until spring for best results.)
Keep the soil moist until the plant becomes established.
We appreciate you reaching out to us. Boysenberries are well suited to life in containers, but they need ample room to grow. Choose a pot that's at least 12 inches (30 cm.) deep and 16 to 18 inches
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
You can grow almost anything in a container! This excellent article will answer your questions and provide good advice. Please see "Growing Fruit Trees in Containers" //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-trees-in-containers-pt1
Yes thorns. You need to either trellis these or build/plant something to spread out on..:the vine tips will re root if left on the ground. Keep this plant in open area for both sun and ventilation for the best fruiting possible
Had them in CA growing up and now live in PA bought 2 little plants last summer and they are spreading like crazy. Cant wait
I bought one (1G) plant in 2018 and planted in the center of 4'x20' area. Now it spread out and new canes are thick and healthy. I'm very happy with my purchase.
Customer Reviews
because it was unique
I've had boysenberries in the past and I LOVE them. I can't wait to make jam or jelly and berry syrup to put on pancakes and waffles. It's delicious.
Growing up in Anaheim, I have fond memories of special fried chicken dinners at Mrs. Knott's Kitchen. No meal was complete without a slice of boysenberry pie a la mode! I'm hoping to rekindle a few…
I love Boysenberries and you can't get them anywhere in Arizona. I grew up in the town right next to Knott's Berry Farm and grew up eating their fresh berries, jams, and the punch. You can get that…