Royalty Purple Raspberry

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Rubus idaeus × – ‘Royalty’ Purple Raspberry

Royalty is the most widely grown purple raspberry, released by the Geneva Experiment Station in Geneva, New York in 1982. It produces exceptionally large, high-quality berries with excellent sweetness and rich flavor. The fruit is excellent for fresh eating and especially well suited for jams, jellies, pies, and canning.

As a purple raspberry (a hybrid of red and black raspberries), Royalty combines vigor with heavy productivity. Canes are strong and productive, and plants typically establish quickly in the landscape. Fruit ripens in mid-to-late summer, making it a later-season crop that often avoids late spring frost damage.

Plants perform best in full sun with well-drained soil and benefit from regular pruning to maintain airflow and productivity. Once established, Royalty is a reliable and rewarding cultivar for home gardens and small fruit plantings.

Ripening Time: Late Summer
Spacing: 3–4 foot rows
USDA Zones: 4–8
Pollination: Self-Fertile

Plant Characteristics

• Pest Resistance: Good
• Disease Resistance: Good
• Drought Tolerance: Fair
• Heat Tolerance: Good
• Humidity Tolerance: Good
• Sun Tolerance: Excellent
• Wet Soil Tolerance: Fair
• Shade Tolerance: Fair
• No-Spray Potential: Good
• Salt Tolerance: Fair
• Fresh for Kids: Excellent
• Deer Resistance: Fair
• Thorns: Yes
• Plant Type: Bramble
• Soil Type: Well-Drained, Fertile
• Edible Type: Fruit
• Self Fertile: Yes

This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Comments and observations are always welcome.