Rubus arcticus Beata

The Rubus arcticus 'Beata' is appreciated for its spreading habit, edible red fruits harvested in early summer, and pink spring flowering attracting bees. This arctic raspberry combines decoration and deliciousness in the garden. It is an excellent ground cover. Its small size also allows it to be grown in a pot on a balcony or terrace. It is an easy-to-grow, very cold-resistant plant that will thrive in fresh and well-drained (non-limestone) soil.

From the Rosaceae family, like its cousins, raspberries (Rubus idaeus), Rubus arcticus grows wild in Scandinavia, Russia, North America and Canada. The 'Beata' variety is both decorative and delicious. It forms a dwarf creeping bush not exceeding 30 cm (12in) in height with a spread ranging from 30 cm (12in) to 1 m (3ft). Its compound leaves with three toothed leaflets are dark green, tinged with brown. They measure between 2 and 3 cm (1in) wide. They turn orange-yellow in autumn. In May-June, honey-scented pink flowers appear. 2 cm (1in) in diameter, they have 5 cup-shaped petals, typical of Rosaceae flowers. They are followed by fruits that are said to be particularly tasty. They are small raspberries, 10-12 mm (1in) long, bright red. They are very juicy, firm, sweet and slightly acidic. The harvest begins in June until July. For better production, it is advisable to plant another variety of arctic bramble nearby to allow for cross-pollination.

If the birds allow you to, arctic raspberries 'Beata' can be eaten fresh, just picked like raspberries, in fruit salads, jelly, jam, compote, juice, wine or even liqueur. The dried leaves can be used to flavour your infusions.

In the garden, Rubus arcticus 'Beata' can be used as a vegetal carpet, in a rock garden, a flower bed, on a slope or at the edge of a woodland. It will create a sensation at the base of a paper birch (Betula papyrifera) with white bark or a 'Fuego' poplar (Populus deltoides 'Fuego') with purple foliage.