Souris Raspberry (an improved Boyne Raspberry) vs Sweet Gale

Souris is an improved version of Boyne, the classic prairie raspberry. It is planted all across Canada and is extremely robust. Where other raspberry cultivars rely on unique selling points and specializations, Souris is just generally a great raspberry.

Souris is cold hardy and resistant to disease and spider mites. Its berries are deliciously sweet and tart while colourful, great for U-pick operations, fresh eating, or using in products such as jams and pies. They can be a bit softer than other raspberry varieties.

The Souris 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.

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

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