Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Mountain time
Oregon Grape vs Pathfinder Raspberry
Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium)
Rubus sp. Pathfinder
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub native to North America, found along the Pacific coast. In spring, the bright golden-yellow flowers appear in clusters above the leaves. These flowers eventually give way to edible blue berries in late summer. While not a true grape, the berries appear grape-like due to their colouring and clustered growth. They can be eaten fresh, but the sour taste and high amounts of natural pectin make them well suited for preserves.
The Oregon Grape has leaves that are glossy, leathery, and spiny-edged. This feature gives it its alternate name of Holly-leaved Barberry. When the leaves emerge in the spring they are a bronze-red colour. In the summer they transition to green, followed by bright red to deep burgundy in the fall. Leaves are retained throughout the winter and colder temperatures cause the leaves to turn purplish bronze, providing year round interest to the landscape.
The Pathfinder is a classic red raspberry variety that is extremely productive with medium to large fruit. It is the earliest fall-bearing raspberry, ready to harvest in August, and produces berries that are firm and sweet.
Red River Raspberry is a primocane-fruiting variety, meaning that it produces fruit on first years' growth. Prune stalks down each winter or early spring to get higher fruit yields and easier harvesting.