Amethyst Raspberry

Amethyst is a rare gem of a raspberry. Developed at the Iowa State University in the late 1960s, it somehow got lost in the shuffle, before being rescued from total oblivion by Jim Walla of North Dakota. Extra large berries with superbly rich and intense flavour are quite firm if picked when purple, and become softer and more juicy if left until nearly black. Amethyst produces heavily for about six weeks in late summer. Besides fresh eating, baking and jam, these berries are reputed to make an exceptional wine. The plants do not sucker, but produce multiple canes in a tight cluster, just like the black raspberries, although the vigorous canes are less thorny than most blacks.