Boysenberry Plant

About Boysenberry Plants

The Boysenberry is renowned for its large, succulent, dark purple berries, perfect for creating scrumptious desserts and delightful jams. This hybrid plant draws its lineage from blackberries, raspberries, loganberries, and dewberries, classified scientifically as Rubus ursinus x Rubus idaeus.

Developed in the 1920s in Anaheim, California, by Rudolph Boysen, the Boysenberry was popularized by Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Walter Knott began cultivating these berries in the early 1930s, and his wife, Cordelia Knott, used them to make jams and pies. Her culinary skills, coupled with her famous fried chicken, played a significant role in the creation of the amusement park now known as Knott’s Berry Farm.

This vining plant blooms with small white flowers in spring and produces thin, thorny canes from its fibrous roots. Stark Bro’s offers Boysenberries from the original Boysen cultivar.

The Fruit

Boysenberries are larger and have a sweeter taste than blackberries, although their flavor is similar to both blackberries and raspberries. They’re a rare treat not commonly found in grocery stores due to their delicate nature, which also necessitates quick processing post-harvest, often into jams and jellies.

Boysenberries can enhance a variety of dishes, from cakes and pies to flavoring for ice cream and pancakes. They also pair well with savory dishes, adding a unique touch to sauces that complement roasted meats. Rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins, vitamin C, and also containing vitamins K and E, manganese, copper, and magnesium, they are a healthful choice.

Growth and Care

Boysenberries belong to the category of trailing blackberries, requiring a trellis system for support, unlike their erect counterparts. They can also thrive in pots with adequate trellis support.

For optimal growth, plant Boysenberries in full sun and well-drained soil, watering at the base to prevent fungal issues. These plants are heat tolerant and self-pollinating but are not very cold-hardy. Check USDA zone compatibility, and during frosts, cover them with hay or another insulating material.

Expect berry production one to two years after planting, with a harvest period in late July. Pruning should be conducted post-harvest, typically in late autumn or winter.

Invest in a Boysenberry plant today and enjoy a bounty of deliciously sweet, dark purple berries!