Caroline Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Caroline'
A premium everbearing red raspberry that produces two crops per year - a summer harvest on second-year canes and a heavy fall crop on first-year canes. Known for exceptional fruit quality with large, firm berries that have outstanding flavor and excellent shelf life. This disease-resistant variety thrives in hot climates better than most raspberries, making it perfect for challenging growing conditions.
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
6 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Caroline Red Raspberry in USDA Zone 7
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Caroline Red Raspberry · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet, 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Botanically the fruits are not berries (though they are usually called berries)– they are instead made of many small drupes. The fruits hold together in a hollow cone. Cultivars exist in various colors and tend to be more productive than the straight species.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White. Type: Aggregate, Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and delicious when eaten out of hand. The fruit is also used in pies, preserves, and in wines. An herb tea is made from the dried leaves and some say that a type of tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Caroline raspberries store exceptionally well compared to other raspberry varieties, maintaining quality for 5-7 days in the refrigerator when kept in breathable containers - avoid plastic bags that trap moisture. Store unwashed at 32-35°F with high humidity for maximum shelf life.
For freezing, Caroline's firm texture makes it ideal for whole-berry freezing. Spread berries on baking sheets, freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bags - they'll maintain shape better than softer varieties when thawed. Caroline raspberries excel in jam-making due to their intense flavor and natural pectin content, requiring less added thickener than many varieties.
Their balanced sweet-tart profile and firm texture also make Caroline berries perfect for dehydrating - they retain more flavor and better texture than softer varieties when dried. The high sugar content and firm flesh ensure consistent results whether you're making fruit leather or dried whole berries.
History & Origin
Caroline Red Raspberry was developed by the breeding program at North Carolina State University, released in 2003 as part of their mission to create heat-tolerant raspberry varieties for challenging Southern growing conditions. Dr. J.R. Ballington led the development team that created Caroline through careful selection and hybridization, focusing on combining the everbearing trait with exceptional heat tolerance and disease resistance.
This variety was specifically bred to address the limitations of traditional raspberry varieties in warm, humid climates where most raspberries struggle with heat stress and fungal diseases. Caroline represents a breakthrough in extending raspberry growing regions beyond the traditional cool-climate zones, making fresh raspberry production viable for gardeners in zones 7-9.
The variety was named Caroline in honor of both North and South Carolina, reflecting its Southern heritage and adaptation. Since its release, Caroline has gained recognition among both commercial growers and home gardeners for its reliability in challenging climates and exceptional fruit quality that rivals traditional cool-climate varieties.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer
- +Attracts: Attracts Pollinators, Edible fruit, Wildlife Cover/Habitat, Wildlife Food Source
- +Wildlife value: Attracts pollinators, bees, and butterflies for its nectar. Fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals and plants provide cover.
- +Edible: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and delicious when eaten out of hand. The fruit is also used in pies, preserves, and in wines. An herb tea is made from the dried leaves and some say that a type of tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Garlic
Repels aphids, spider mites, and other pests while improving soil health
Chives
Deters aphids and Japanese beetles, attracts beneficial insects
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and attracts pollinators and pest-eating insects
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch
Tansy
Repels ants, mice, and flying insects that damage raspberry canes
Strawberries
Share similar soil preferences and attract common beneficial insects
Lavender
Attracts pollinators and repels moths and other harmful insects
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits raspberry growth and fruit production
Tomatoes
Share verticillium wilt and other soil-borne diseases
Potatoes
Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases and pest issues
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of raspberries and most other plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346410)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to root rot and cane diseases
Common Pests
Raspberry cane borer, aphids, spider mites, birds
Diseases
Anthracnose, gray mold, powdery mildew