Encore Red Raspberry Plant

Encore Red Raspberry earns its name — it’s a summer-bearing variety that delivers an exceptional mid-to-late summer harvest of large, exceptionally sweet berries with a notably soft, velvety texture that genuinely melts in your mouth. Resistant to root rot, cold hardy and heat tolerant across a wide range of climates in Zones 4–9, and a licensed Cornell University variety, Encore is a reliable and rewarding choice for home growers who want a premium summer raspberry.

Exceptionally Sweet, Velvety Soft Berries

Encore’s texture sets it apart from most red raspberries. The large, very firm yet velvety berries have an exceptionally sweet flavor and a smooth, almost luxurious mouthfeel that makes them outstanding for fresh eating straight from the cane. They ripen in late July to early August — right in the heart of summer — and the highly productive plants deliver abundant crops that reward the season’s anticipation.

Root Rot Resistance — A Practical Advantage

Root rot is one of the most common causes of raspberry plant failure, particularly in heavier or periodically wet soils. Encore’s resistance to root rot gives it a meaningful reliability advantage, especially in garden conditions where drainage isn’t perfect. Combined with cold hardiness and heat tolerance, it’s one of the more adaptable and durable raspberry varieties available.

Why Growers Choose Encore

• Exceptionally sweet, velvety texture — large berries that melt in your mouth
• Highly productive — abundant summer crops from vigorous, well-established canes
• Disease resistant to root rot — reliable in a wider range of soil conditions
• Cold hardy and heat tolerant — adaptable across Zones 4–9
• Cornell University licensed variety — proven through rigorous institutional breeding
• Self-pollinating — fruit with just one planting
• Bears fruit in 1–2 years — fast results from a new planting

Important Planting Notes

After planting bare-root canes, prune them back to about 2 inches above the ground. This is a critical step that encourages the roots to send up strong new growth — don’t skip it. New growth will emerge from the ground nearby rather than from the original cane, which is normal raspberry behavior as the root system sends up new shoots.

Note: Do not plant red, gold, or purple raspberries within 75–100 feet of black raspberries, as black raspberries can be more susceptible to viral diseases spread by aphids moving between nearby plants.