I have a small patch of them. I wish they did better in my climate, but many winters, the tops die back, and I get no fruit at all. The flavor is truly extraordinary, and it makes a jam or jelly that is hard to describe - compared to regular red raspberry, it's like the difference between grocery store chuck steak and hand-raised Kobe beef filet.

They do fine here in fairly deep shade to semi-shade; I haven't tried them in full sun. I don't find them all that invasive, not as much so as regular black raspberries.

Even in the best years, the yield is quite low, because the berries themselves are about half the size of a typical raspberry. They make up for it in flavor. Oh, yeah, a lot of them don't make it into the basket, either, they're too delicious.

Mine seem to be more upright and self-supporting than either my blackberries or black raspberries, more like the red or gold raspberries. I think trellising would be optional -- makes for a neater patch, but probably not really necessary.

I think they would probably not be as prone to winterkill in Rhode Island, since your climate is moderated by proximity to the Atlantic/Long Island Sound.

Glenn,

Mine are in full sun and they do well. Since they still fruit in nearly full shade, I'd guess they would still produce plenty of fruit in part shade. Also, your link to the Edible description reminded me that they fruit on 2 year old wood (and that my plants are 3 years old). Mine are in an untrellised row wedged in between Heritage and Anne raspberries and would definitely take over if I didn't keep them in line by tipping them and preventing them from arching over their neighbors. They were mislabeled purchase from Gurney's (before I knew better than to buy brambles from them). If you've got a shady location on the edge of your yard, I'd let them grow as a hedgerow and save your trellis space for varieties that need it. Maybe space them 10' apart (or more if you want to let them tiproot)?

I agree with denninimi on the taste. The berries also have a unique texture and are slightly sticky to the touch. The are also relatively easy to harvest despite their small size because you can slide your hand along a ripe grouping of the berries and they will separate easily into your hand.

I think I'll grow a trellised row of them in the partial shade in back of the kids swing set.

Just the information I was looking for djofnelson and denninmi. Thanks so much!

-Glenn