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In the gardens of true connoisseurs of plants, you can find many different wonders from the plant world. Many of them are characterized by names that attract and at the same time arouse interest, but at the same time have little connection with reality. Raspberry Tibetan is a typical representative of this class of plants. She has many more inspiring names: rose-leaved, strawberry, seductive raspberry, rosaline, strawberry-raspberry, strawberry, raspberry and even zemmaline. And all this is about one plant, which causes admiration and delight in some, while others reject it with almost contempt and indignation.
This difference in attitude is primarily due to exaggerated expectations from the shrub, which, having many unique properties, nevertheless, is not at all capable of replacing raspberries or strawberries, and even more so is not their hybrid, as unscrupulous people often try to present it. seedlings sellers.
Description of the species
This plant belongs to the genus Rubus, that is, it is closest to raspberries and blackberries, and it is connected with strawberries only by belonging to the same pink family (Rosaceae). However, the appearance of Tibetan raspberry berries, indeed, partly resembles strawberries, and in most English-speaking countries, due to this, they secretly appropriated the name "strawberry-raspberry" to it. Nevertheless, this plant is a separate wild-growing species of raspberry and is officially called by botanists seductive raspberry (Rubus illecebrosus) or rose-leaved raspberry. Perhaps these are two separate varieties, differing only in the size of the bush.
He also suggested that the homeland of this raspberry is Japan, where it is widespread on mountain slopes and in light forests at an altitude of 1500 meters. According to other versions, the origins of the rose-leaved strawberry-raspberry should be sought in China and Tibet, hence one of its most popular names in Russia - Tibetan raspberry.
Since then, it has spread widely throughout North and South America, where it is even ranked as weed plants. In Europe, Tibetan raspberries have enjoyed particular popularity in recent decades, most of all in the Baltic countries.
Raspberry rosacea is a very attractive outwardly rounded shrub, which rarely reaches a height of more than 60-70 cm, although at home it can grow up to 2-3 meters. Her rhizome is creeping and is located near the surface.
Raspberry stems usually grow vertically upward, their bark is green and lignified only at the base of the shoots. Leaves are decorative. They are characterized by:
- oblong-lanceolate,
- color from light to dark green,
- corrugated sheet surface with serrated edges,
- leaf length from 3 to 8 cm.
Both the stems and the petioles of the leaves of the Tibetan raspberry are covered with curved thorns that cling to all, so it is necessary to communicate with the plant very carefully. But her plantings are able to create an impassable hedge, decorated with beautiful flowers and edible healthy berries.
Both flowers and berries of strawberry raspberries are relatively large, up to 4 cm in diameter. An additional decorative effect is given to them by the fact that they are located on the tops of the stems, above the bulk of the leaves. The berries begin to ripen from about mid-July, and fruiting lasts until the first frost. Moreover, on one bush of rose-leaved raspberry, there can be both flowers and ripe berries at the same time, which makes it even more attractive in appearance. Unlike common varieties of raspberries, both flowers and berries are usually located one at a time.
Description raspberry varieties rosaceous will be incomplete if you do not pay enough attention to its berries. The fruits really resemble both strawberries and raspberries in their appearance.
- They have a slightly oblong obovate shape.
- Coral to bright red in color.
- The size of the berries varies from 3.5 to 5 cm.
- A similar fruit of botany is called polystyrene, the seeds are found in numerous micro papillae protruding from the surface.
- But the berries are easily separated from the receptacle, as in the case of ordinary raspberries.
- Fresh fruit taste is neutral, and does not resemble either raspberries or strawberries.
To many, the berries seem tasteless, but the light aroma and sweet-sour aftertaste are revealed only when the Tibetan raspberries are fully ripe. In addition, after heat treatment, the berries have a clear strawberry or even pineapple flavor and aroma, which is actively used by many gardeners to prepare various blanks from Tibetan raspberries.
Benefit and harm
Despite the fact that at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, the Tibetan raspberry enjoyed extraordinary popularity, later it was forgotten for many decades and therefore no serious studies of the properties of its berries were carried out. It is known that Tibetan raspberry berries contain many elements useful for the human body: pectins, necessary for regulating the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins E and C, iron, copper, folic acid. It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of all the substances contained in rose-leaved raspberries:
- The efficiency of the circulatory system is maintained, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and their elasticity increases;
- The level of hemoglobin in the blood rises;
- An excellent remedy for the prevention of flu and colds;
- Digestion of food is normalized;
- The metabolism improves;
- Tibetan raspberries can be used as an antidepressant.
There are almost no contraindications to use - strawberry raspberries can be used even by pregnant and lactating women. But it is still recommended to be careful in its use for people with diabetes and prone to allergies.
Care and cultivation
Planting and caring for Tibetan raspberries is not too difficult. Thanks to the advertising boom, its seedlings can be unjustifiably expensive, so it is easier to find gardeners who already have Tibetan raspberries growing on their plots and ask them for shoots. After all, it reproduces by cuttings, seeds, layering, and even pieces of rhizomes.
It is easiest to send by mail the seeds of rosaceous raspberries, especially since they look almost the same as the seeds of ordinary raspberries, except that they are slightly larger in size.
Planting Tibetan raspberries correctly is not as difficult as it seems. She prefers loose, neutral fertile soils in full sun, but can grow in partial shade. But in lowlands with high humidity, it is better not to plant it. The root system of strawberry raspberries is superficial, but rather aggressive.Therefore, if your site is very small, then it is better to plant raspberry rhizomes in any container (leaky bucket, basin, barrel, bath), having previously dug it in a suitable place.
When planting in rows, the distance between plants is maintained at 0.8-1.2 meters. In the first year after planting, only a few berries may appear on the bushes - the Tibetan raspberry is just taking root. In subsequent years, it will begin to gain strength and grow actively. Although the yield from one bush is small compared to ordinary varieties of raspberries, the berries are large and appear throughout the second half of summer.
Pruning raspberry shoots almost at the very ground can be done in autumn or early spring.
This crop needs irrigation and fertilization very moderately, and in the climate of the middle zone it may well grow practically without care, as in nature. In the south, Tibetan raspberries may need additional irrigation during the hottest and driest growing periods. In the conditions of the Moscow region, rose-leaved raspberry winters well even without additional shelter of the root zone. In more northerly areas, it is better to cover the raspberry roots with a layer of spruce branches or other organic mulch.
Since the plant is native to Japan, it loves the warmth of the sun, but prefers to keep the roots cool. In hot climates, the root zone of the Tibetan raspberry should be abundantly mulched with compost or other organic matter, which will simultaneously serve to retain moisture and ensure plant nutrition.
It is possible to transplant Tibetan raspberries both in the spring, after the height of the aboveground part reaches 10 cm, and in the fall.
An important advantage of the Tibetan raspberry is that it is not attractive to most pests that like to eat on regular raspberries. And this, of course, makes it much easier to care for her.
Use in landscape design
Many gardeners have appreciated the decorative properties of the Tibetan raspberry and actively use it in landscape design.
- Its planting will be indispensable on large areas to create picturesque compositions on the slopes for their additional strengthening;
- Given the sharp thorns of the Tibetan raspberry and the good growth rate, it is possible to create hedges that are impenetrable for humans and most animals to protect the site;
- Provided that it is protected from sprawling, Tibetan raspberries can be used in compositions with other ornamental shrubs and perennial flowers, since its low growth allows you to admire a mosaic of leaves and flowers with attractive berries from above;
- The shrub is an excellent honey plant and attracts many butterflies, bees and bumblebees.
Gardeners reviews
Since Tibetan raspberries are often mistakenly positioned as a hybrid of strawberries and raspberries, something more is expected from it than it can actually give. In this regard, the reviews of gardeners about it are very contradictory and often full of disappointments. But true connoisseurs of exoticism, beauty and benefits in plants love and are happy to grow strawberry raspberries.
Conclusion
Tibetan raspberries do not belong to the universal berries that absolutely everyone loves. But this exotic shrub deserves closer attention because of its beauty, unpretentiousness and the benefits that its berries bring.
