Raspberry 'Malling Promise' 3Ltr

'Malling Promise' is one of the earliest summer raspberries and a dependable favourite in British gardens since it came out of the famous East Malling breeding programme in Kent in the 1940s. From late June into July it produces heavy crops of large, firm, rosy-red berries with a rich, fruity flavour. That makes it ideal for a first taste of the season, eaten fresh with cream, in summer puddings and jams, or frozen for later. It is self-fertile, and its white spring flowers are popular with bees.

This is a vigorous variety with spiny canes that grow to around 1.5–1.8m tall. It is more tolerant of poorer soils than many raspberries, though, like all raspberries, it does best in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic, and it dislikes waterlogging. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost before planting. Plant at the same depth as it sat in the pot, since raspberries resent being planted too deep. Summer-fruiting canes need support, so stretch two or three horizontal wires between sturdy posts and tie the canes in as they grow. If you're planting a row, space plants 45–60cm apart.

Summer raspberries fruit on canes grown the previous year. Once you've finished picking, cut the fruited canes down to ground level, then select the strongest new green canes and tie them in to crop next summer. Mulch each spring, feed with a general or high-potash fertiliser, water during dry spells, and net the plants as the fruit ripens to keep birds off.

Supplied in a 3 litre pot and can be planted at any time of year, though autumn and winter are ideal. Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.