Bristol Black Raspberry Bush

Rubus occidentalis 'Bristol'

$54⁶⁰

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Fast-growing, Flowering, Edible, Self-pollinating, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, and Attracts pollinators

Specifications

Botanical Name

Rubus occidentalis 'Bristol'
Height

4-5 ft
Width

3-4 ft
Growing Zones

4-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your Bristol Black Raspberry in full sun, ensuring it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, you will sacrifice fruit production and sweetness, so prioritize your sunniest spots.
Soil: These berries thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, amend it thoroughly with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot, which raspberries are susceptible to.

Watering Requirements

During the first season, keep the soil consistently moist to help the root system establish, watering deeply once or twice a week. Once established, the plants are fairly tough, but you should still water during dry spells—especially when berries are forming—to ensure the fruit ends up juicy rather than seedy and small.

Pruning Tips

Black raspberries bear fruit on two-year-old canes, so you need a specific approach. In early spring, trim the side branches (laterals) of young canes to about 8–12 inches to encourage sturdy fruiting structures. Immediately after you harvest the berries in summer, cut the canes that just produced fruit all the way to the ground; they will die naturally anyway, and removing them improves air circulation and reduces disease risk.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your plants in early spring just as new green growth begins to appear, using a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or a layer of compost. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this can encourage soft, new growth that is easily damaged by winter frost.

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Growing Zones 4-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Other Raspberry varieties step aside, the Bristol Raspberry Bush (Rubus occidentalis 'Bristol') is here! These brilliant and reliable berries are a no-brainer if you're looking for a winning cultivar. This Raspberry has proven itself to be hardy, tasty, and beautiful since its introduction in 1934.

The Bristol Raspberry's medium green and broad foliage create a verdant and cheerful sight. If you want to attract joyful birds and happy bees, you will want several of these in your yard! The spring show of white blossoms is not something to miss! Then Bristol produces juicy black raspberries with a sweet aroma in early summer!

These firm berries are large with high sugar levels and a fruity flavor. While it's difficult to beat eating these bright berries fresh from the cane, they are also a great candidate for canning, jams, jellies, and freezing. They also make the perfect muse for new baked recipes. Turn a boring salad or plain yogurt into a true treat with a handful of Bristol Raspberries. Or stir in a spoonful of your blackberry jelly to your next milkshake for a fresh burst of flavor.

Planting and Application:

Plant Bristol bushes along your woodland area or in a region you want to naturalize and attract wildlife. Add a bird-friendly fence that few will want to cross and hides nosy neighbors at the same time! You may wish to cover a couple of your bushes just so the birds won't fatten up on all your berries!

Ornamental enough for edible landscaping, their smaller size and beauty all growing season is an unmatched and versatile fruiting and flowering accent and focal point plant! Why shouldn't your landscaping put food on your table too?

Excellent Early Summer Classic
Less Seedy Mid-Season Raspberry
Sweet & Charming White Flowers
Self-Fruitful Mid-Sized Black Raspberry
Fantastic Fruity Flavor

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Keep your Floricane Raspberry plants fruitful by removing canes that have been harvested immediately after fruiting by pruning them to the ground, leaving the new vegetative (non-fruiting) canes to overwinter. While self-fertile, you may want to plant several nearby for extra berries!

Full Sun
Moist, Well-Drained, Organically Enriched Soil
Very Cold Hardy
Prune After Fruiting
Mulch Beds Well

The Bristol Black Raspberry Bush is a floricane that provides unlimited joy to those who have the opportunity to grow their own. Make this upcoming summer the berry best with your own Bristol Raspberry.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Bristol Black Raspberry Bush

Rubus occidentalis 'Bristol'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications