Christmas Closure Notice: We will be closed from Tuesday 23rd December and reopen on 5th January.
Raspberry 'Malling Promise'
Overview
Raspberry 'Malling Promise' is a classic summer-fruiting variety that has earned its place as a garden favourite since its introduction in 1946. This reliable cultivar produces generous crops of bright red, medium-sized berries with excellent flavour, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a dependable and rewarding soft fruit addition to their plot.
Key Features
This vigorous variety is renowned for its consistent performance and ease of cultivation. 'Malling Promise' produces sturdy canes that typically reach 1.5–1.8 metres in height, with good natural vigour that ensures healthy growth year after year. The berries ripen early in the summer season, usually from late June through July, allowing you to enjoy fresh raspberries before many other varieties have begun to fruit.
Fruit Characteristics
The berries of 'Malling Promise' are conical in shape and medium-sized, with a vibrant red colour when fully ripe. They offer a well-balanced, sweet flavour with just the right amount of acidity, making them versatile for both fresh eating and culinary use. The fruit picks easily from the plant when ripe, and whilst not the firmest raspberry variety available, they're perfectly suited for immediate consumption, freezing, or transforming into jams, jellies, and desserts.
Growing Requirements
'Malling Promise' thrives in a sunny position with well-drained, moisture-retentive soil that's rich in organic matter. Like all summer-fruiting raspberries, this variety produces fruit on canes that grew during the previous year, so proper pruning is essential for continued productivity. The canes benefit from support using a post and wire system, with wires positioned at approximately 75cm, 1m, and 1.5m above ground level.
Planting and Care
Plant canes between November and March, spacing them 40–45cm apart in rows with 1.8m between rows. After planting, cut canes back to around 25cm above ground level to encourage strong new growth. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during flowering and fruiting, and apply a generous mulch of well-rotted compost or manure each spring to feed the plants and retain moisture.
Pruning
Pruning 'Malling Promise' is straightforward. After fruiting has finished in late summer, cut all fruited canes down to ground level, as these won't produce fruit again. Tie in the new green canes that have grown during the current season, as these will bear next year's crop. Thin canes to leave the strongest 6–8 per plant, removing any weak or damaged growth.
Cropping and Yield
With proper care, 'Malling Promise' is a generous cropper, reliably producing good yields of fruit each summer. Established plants can produce 1–2kg of berries per plant, with peak production occurring once plants are fully established after 2–3 years. The early ripening habit means you'll be enjoying fresh raspberries whilst midsummer varieties are still developing.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Whilst 'Malling Promise' is generally hardy and reliable, it can be susceptible to raspberry cane diseases and virus infections, particularly as plants age. Good garden hygiene, adequate spacing for air circulation, and purchasing certified virus-free stock are essential preventative measures. Inspect plants regularly and remove any showing signs of disease promptly to prevent spread.
Why Choose 'Malling Promise'
This heritage variety remains popular with home gardeners for good reason. Its early cropping extends the raspberry season, the flavour is excellent for a range of uses, and the plants are sufficiently vigorous to produce worthwhile crops without being overly rampant. For gardeners seeking a traditional, tried-and-tested raspberry that delivers consistent results, 'Malling Promise' is a sound investment that will reward you with delicious fruit for many years to come.
Buying Fruit Trees/Bushes from Jacksons Nurseries
Our trees might be Freshly Potted and the root system may not be fully established, and loose soil may occur when unpacking.
Unlike many garden centres, supermarkets and some nurseries here at Jacksons Nurseries we sell the majority of our stock all year round. Our stock is for the most part grown outdoors making it far hardier than those grown under glass and/or only sold ‘In Season’.
Here at Jacksons Nurseries we would favour a hardy outdoor grown plant every time. They are far less likely to suffer from the shock of being planted in colder conditions and they will begin to establish more rapidly the following spring. This can mean that they don’t look like a ‘picture perfect’ plant when purchased out of season but with the correct care and a little time you’ll have a wonderful plant to enjoy for many years to come.