Jewel Raspberry vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Jewel Raspberry vs Black Crowberry

Rubus x Jewel

Empetrum nigrum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Jewel Raspberry
Black Crowberry

The Jewel Raspberry is one of the most popular black raspberry varieties, as it is consistently high-yielding and produces large, firm, and sweet berries. This cultivar is among one of the first raspberries to ripen each year, with berries ready for harvest in early to mid summer and is a vigorous grower.

The Jewel Raspberry is self-pollinating, and is a primocane 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.

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spiral around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates they have a sweet, tart taste, and are dried, used in deserts, or for making jams or jellies.
It provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. Its ability to grow in harsh climates makes it an important species for ecological balance.
Black Crowberry has historical significance as it provided a vital food source for the indigenous cultures of the arctic regions. It is abundant in Scandinavia and is used to make liqueurs, wines, and juices. In Newfoundland and Labrador the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are used in jams, jellies and baked goods like buns and puddings.

Jewel Raspberry Quick Facts

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4b
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: black, large
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Firmness: firm
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: August
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: jewel black raspberry
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry