How to Grow Boysenberry Vines

Boysenberry leaves

The boysenberry vine (Rubus ursinus x idaeusare)is believed to be a cross between loganberry, blackberry and raspberry vines. They were developed by a farmer named Rudolph Boysen in Southern California. Later Walter Knott took up care of the new plants and eventually his farm became renowned for its restaurant, boysenberry pies and finally the preserves that turned Knott's Berry Farm into the successful theme park it is today. But boysenberries remain a wonderful fruit to be grown in the garden. Here is some information about the boysenberry vine and how to grow it.

Instructions

1. 

   As landscape plants, boysenberry vines are great for covering fences and large areas you might want to mask, like tree trunks or undesirable views. They can easily send up long graceful branches to 8' in length, so if you want to use them as a screen, they are best tied in place to keep them from sprawling on the ground too much.

2. 

   The fruit is great eaten fresh or used for canning, freezing, jelly and syrup. It is rich in vitamin C, calcium, fiber, folic acid, manganese antioxidants, iron and even has a fair amount of potassium.

3. 

   Boysenberries are rambling brambles. They will send out long wandering branches called 'canes'. It is best to provide them walls or fences to sprawl over to keep the fruit clean and make them look attractive. Wear gloves when working with thorned varieties as they are very prickly to handle. There are also thornless varieties available.

4. Plant boysenberries about 3 feet apart in full sun and in soil with plenty of organics dug in. Water them in thoroughly and mulch the surface of the soil. They like to be slightly moist, but dry out somewhat between waterings. In zone 6 or warmer, it is best to plant the canes in the autumn. For cooler climates, spring is the best planting time. They usually fruit in the late spring or early summer and it is a good idea to cut the older canes right back to the ground after fruiting. Boysenberries are usually cold tolerant to around 20'F, though with mulch, can take an occasional colder spell.

5. For more information on how to grow the boysenberry vine and where to purchase plants, please see the Additional Resources listed below.

Resources

• Johnson Nursery
• HenryFields
• NewWorldEncyclopedia:Boysenberries
• Willis Orchard Co.