Raspberry hardiness can be a little confusing. You can read one site that rates raspberries as hardy only in zones 4 to 7 or 8, and another site may list them as hardy in zones 5 to 9. Some sites also mention raspberries as being an invasive species in areas of zone 9.
The reason for the discrepancies is simply that some raspberries are more cold hardy than others, while some raspberries are more heat tolerant than others. This article will discuss heat tolerant raspberries for zone 9.
Growing Raspberries in Zone 9
In general, raspberries are hardy in zones 3 to 9. However, different types and cultivars are better suited for different areas. Red and yellow raspberries tend to be more cold tolerant, while black and purple raspberries can die out in areas with extremely cold winters.
Red raspberries fall into two categories: Summer bearing or Everbearing. In zone 9, the canes of everbearing raspberries can be left on the plant to overwinter and produce a second set of fruit in early spring. After producing fruit, these canes are pruned back. When growing raspberries in zone 9, select a site in full sun with moist, but well-draining soil.
Zone 9 raspberry plants will struggle in locations with high winds. Also, it is important not to plant raspberries where tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, roses, or peppers have previously been planted in the last three to five years, as these plants can leave diseases in the soil that raspberries are specifically susceptible to.
Plant red and yellow zone 9 raspberries 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) apart, black raspberries 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) apart, and purple raspberries 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) apart.
Selecting Heat Tolerant Raspberries
Below are suitable raspberry plants for zone 9: Red Raspberries
- Amity
- Autumn Bliss
- Autumn Britten
- Bababerry
- Caroline
- Chilliwick
- Fallred
- Heritage
- Killarney
- Nantahala
- Oregon 1030
- Polka
- Redwing
- Ruby
- Summit
- Taylor
- Tulameen
Yellow Raspberries
- Anne
- Cascade
- Fall Gold
- Goldie
- Kiwi Gold
Black Raspberries
- Blackhawk
- Cumberland
- Purple Raspberries
- Brandy Wine
- Royalty