Rubus 'Triple Crown'
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade in Phoenix; protect foliage and fruit from intense western exposure.
Water: Water deeply and regularly, keeping the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged. Increase irrigation during fruit development and extreme heat; do not allow prolonged drying.
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost; slightly acidic soil preferred, approximately pH 5.5–6.5. Phoenix’s alkaline soil may require amendments or a raised bed with suitable soil.
Mature size: Canes commonly reach 10–15 feet long; typically trained to a trellis approximately 5–6 feet tall, with 4–8 feet of lateral space per plant.
Bloom: White flowers in spring on overwintered second-year canes, followed by summer fruit if winter chilling is sufficient. Local timing and yield vary.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous; leaf drop and dormancy may be incomplete in mild Phoenix winters.
Growth rate: Fast with adequate water, nutrition, and protection from extreme heat.