Boysenberry, << BOY zuhn `behr` ee, >> is a type of blackberry. The tart, juicy, wine-red to almost black fruit grows on a trailing plant. Each boysenberry consists of a cluster of tiny fruits called drupelets. Boysenberries have a dustlike coating and a distinctive aroma. They are eaten fresh or are used to make pies, jam, ice cream, and juice.
Boysenberries are closely related to loganberries. Both berries are also called dewberries. Unlike other types of blackberries, which grow on erect bushes, dewberries develop on long, willowy branches that spread along the ground.
Boysenberries grow best in a mild climate. They may produce crops in colder regions if the plants are protected by snow or an insulating mulch during winter. Growers start new plants by burying sections of roots or stems. As the plants grow, they are tied to stakes or wire frames. New stems sprout yearly, but only two-year-old stems bear fruit. After the boysenberry fruit is harvested, these stems are removed to make room for new growth.
