Encore Raspberry
Encore Raspberry
Large, Sweet Red Berries on a Nearly Thornless Late-Summer Cane
Encore Raspberry (Rubus idaeus 'Encore') is a summer-bearing (floricane) variety that ripens its big, firm, sweet red berries later than most summer types — extending the main raspberry season. The upright, nearly thornless canes are easy to pick, and it's self-fertile and zone 4 hardy. Whether you're starting a berry patch in Edina, filling a sunny row in Maple Grove, or stretching the harvest in Woodbury — Encore brings late-summer raspberries to zone 4b–5a gardens.
Encore Raspberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rubus idaeus 'Encore' |
| Plant Type | Summer-bearing (floricane) raspberry; cane fruit |
| Mature Height | 5–6 feet; benefits from a trellis |
| Sun | Full sun (6+ hours) for the sweetest berries |
| Water | Moderate — 1–2 inches per week; shallow roots dislike drying out |
| USDA Zones | 4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost. Avoid wet feet. |
| Pollination | Self-fertile — a single plant will fruit |
| Bearing Type | Summer-bearing/floricane — fruits on second-year canes; late season |
| Harvest | Late summer; large, firm, sweet red berries; nearly thornless |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4 |
Encore Raspberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Extending the summer harvest
Encore ripens late among summer-bearers, so pairing it with an earlier variety stretches the picking season in a Plymouth garden.
Easy-picking rows
Its sturdy, nearly thornless, upright canes make for comfortable harvesting along a trellised row in Eden Prairie.
Fresh eating and preserving
Large, firm, flavorful berries are excellent fresh, frozen, or in jam.
Best Time to Plant Encore Raspberry in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) is the best window, giving canes a full season to establish. Early fall planting can work in a sheltered spot. Never plant after mid-October.
How to Plant Encore Raspberry
- Choose a full-sun, well-drained site away from wild brambles (which can spread disease).
- Dig wide, not deep; backfill with native soil mixed with compost.
- Space plants 2–3 feet apart in rows; install a T-trellis since these canes grow tall.
- Set the crown at soil level and water in well.
- Mulch 3–4 inches with straw or shredded bark, kept off the canes.
- As a floricane type, do not mow it down — see pruning below.
Watering Encore Raspberry in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 4–5 days
- Month 3–6: 1–2 inches per week, especially during fruiting
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Keep evenly moist during flowering and fruiting for plump berries. Shallow roots mean steady moisture and mulch matter.
How do I prune a summer-bearing raspberry?
Encore fruits on second-year canes (floricanes). After a cane fruits, cut it to the ground; leave the current season's new green canes to overwinter and fruit next summer. Don't mow everything down — that would remove next year's crop.
Is it really thornless?
Nearly so — the canes are smooth and easy to handle compared with most raspberries.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4. In exposed sites, mulch the base and consider a windbreak; the canes must survive winter to fruit.
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