Royalty - Raspberry

Royalty is a vigorous, floricane-fruiting purple raspberry that produces fruit which can be picked red or left to darken to purple. The red fruit is firmer and brighter in flavor; fully colored berries are softer, sweeter, and richer. ## In the garden Grow in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. The [University of Minnesota Extension](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/growing-raspberries-in-the-home-garden) lists Royalty as a purple floricane raspberry and describes vigorous, heavy-producing plants. The [Oregon State University guide](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1306-growing-raspberries-your-home-garden) lists it for USDA Zones 4–8 and notes that purple raspberries are hybrids between red and black types. Give the canes room and control spreading growth along the row. ## Fruit Royalty's berries offer two harvest choices: pick them red for a firmer, brighter raspberry flavor, or wait until they turn purple for a softer, sweet, rich flavor. The [Colorado State University guide](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/raspberries-for-the-home-garden/) also notes that it is self-pollinating and produces late-season fruit. ## Maintenance Prune and train purple raspberries much like black raspberries. Remove fruiting floricanes at ground level after harvest, retain healthy primocanes, and tip or thin vigorous growth to keep the patch accessible. Water through dry spells and keep the planting well drained.