Wyoming Raspberry vs Black Crowberry

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

Wyoming Raspberry is a blackberry/raspberry hybrid. It is a vigorous grower, with floricane canes reaching up to 8 feet, which you must support if they are heavily laden with fruit.

The fruit is a deep purple to black drupe, with a flavour between blackberry and raspberry.

It is more cold hardy than other black raspberry cultivars, suitable to cold hardiness zone 3a. Wyoming Black Raspberry is non-suckering, making it suitable for the small home garden.

The Wyoming Raspberry is a fast-growing floricane. This means that raspberries will not grow on canes the year they first grow. The mature canes they do grow on, however, produce more berries than primocane varieties.

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