Description of the best varieties of blackberries and features of choice for different regions

Gardeners are often overwhelmed by the abundance of blackberry varieties. I would like to plant an undemanding and productive variety or hybrid. And it should take up little space. Some summer residents are afraid of the possible spread of the plant across the site. They are attracted to varieties of remontant blackberries. These shrubs are quite compact and quiet. Before buying a plant, you need to understand what the plant should be like. And what specific harvest do you want to get from it?

Early varieties

Blackberries are a member of the Rosaceae family. It is a perennial shrub with erect, creeping or semi-creeping shoots. In culture there are forms with or without thorns.

Early varieties produce a harvest in June. But you shouldn’t expect a wonderful taste from the berries: they are sour and watery. But the value of early types lies in the fact that they bear fruit when there are no berries in the gardens other than blackberries.

Giant

This is a product of Arkansas breeders. Giant - remontant blackberry. Plant characteristics:

• erect shoots with thorns;
• plant height from 1.5 to 2 m;
• the stems are brittle: they need to be tied to a support;
• flowers are large, fragrant;
• withstands frosts down to -40 degrees Celsius without shelter;
• bears fruit twice: in June and August.

The berries have an elongated round shape. They taste good. The weight of the berry reaches 25 grams. The yield of the Giant is noteworthy: up to 35 kg per bush.

Karaka Black

This is a hybrid created by New Zealand breeders. The plant is different:

• semi-creeping flexible shoots up to 6 m long;
• stems with many thorns;
• elongated berries;
• sweet and sour taste of berries.

The advantage of the hybrid is its unpretentiousness and ease of covering the shoots for the winter. Disadvantage: the tops of the stems easily take root on their own and form continuous thickets in the country.

Columbia Star

A relatively new type of thornless blackberry. Requires garter to support. Gardeners like:

• taste (sweet and sour) of berries;
• compactness of the bush (creeping shoots up to 5.5 m);
• high yield (up to 10 kg per bush);
• self-fertility.

After picking, the berries are stored for 3-4 days without loss of marketability.

Natchez

A representative of the thornless blackberry. Plant characteristics:

• erect shoots up to 3 m long;
• yield up to 20 kg per bush;
• small number of replacement shoots;
• frost resistance up to -20 degrees Celsius;
• extended (up to 40 days) fruiting;
• sweet berries, weight up to 12 g;
• excellent transportability.

The bushes are spreading: it is recommended to maintain a distance of up to 1 m between them.

Osage

The most delicious type of thornless blackberry. Its features:

• low (up to -13 degrees Celsius) frost resistance;
• yield up to 3 kg per bush;
• erect shoots up to 3 m high.

The main advantage: the special taste of berries. Because of this, gardeners put up with the variety's shortcomings.

Ouachita

The advantage of the variety is the absence of thorns. Ouachita is different:

• thick erect shoots up to 3 m high;
• yield up to 30 kg per bush;
• unpretentiousness;
• ease of cultivation;
• resistance to diseases and pests.

The berries are round, weighing up to 7 g. When growing the vine, it is recommended to tie it to a support: the plant overloads itself with fruits. Disadvantage of the plant: low frost resistance (up to -17 degrees Celsius).

Chačanska Bestrna

This is a type of thornless blackberry. Its characteristics:

• yield up to 15 kg per bush;
• flexible semi-creeping shoots up to 3.5 m;
• drought resistance;
• resistance to diseases and pests.

The berries are large (up to 7 g), sweet. Plant frost resistance up to -26 degrees. The keeping quality and transportability of the berries is low (marketability is lost after 2-3 days).

El Dorado

An excellent variety with high (up to -35 degrees) frost resistance. Its features:

• erect (up to 3 m) shoots;
• spines sparse;
• high (up to 20 kg per bush) yield;
• stable fruiting;
• pleasant dessert taste of fruits;
• The shape of the berries is rounded and elongated.

The plant requires staking to a support. Disadvantage: Eldorado produces abundant root shoots and spreads throughout the area.

Mid-season varieties

After the early varieties of blackberries, gardeners are pleased with the mid-season ones. Breeders have created thornless and thorned types. These species produce more aromatic and juicy berries. Fruiting in mid-season blackberries is uniform.

Waldo

Tested by gardeners thornless blackberry. Distinctive features:

• compact bushes;
• creeping flexible shoots 2 m long;
• average frost resistance (up to -25 degrees Celsius);
• yield up to 17 kg per bush;
• berries up to 8 g, refreshing.

Blackberries do not require care: the most important point is shelter for the winter.

Kiova

This blackberry has the largest (up to 25 g) berries. The harvest ripens at the end of July. The variety is characterized by:

• high yield (up to 30 kg per bush);
• erect shoots up to 2 m high;
• an abundance of thorns;
• transportability without loss of marketability.

Blackberries require tying to a support and mandatory shelter for the winter (for regions with cold winters).

Loch Ness

A thornless variety that pleases the gardener with fruits whose taste is similar to the taste of wild berries. Excellent yield (up to 25 kg per bush). Attractiveness of the variety:

• stability of fruiting;
• ease of care;
• sweet taste;
• ease of reproduction.

But there are also disadvantages:

• shoots are semi-creeping, grow up to 5 m;
• the plant definitely requires support;
• lack of heat and light affects the taste of the berries.

Blackberries are ideal for those gardeners who sell surplus produce.

Loch Tay

The variety is attractive due to its lack of thorns. Blackberries are characterized by:

• semi-creeping shoots up to 5 m long;
• frost resistance up to -20 degrees Celsius;
• large (up to 5 g) berries;
• sweet-sour taste of fruits;
• excellent transportability;
• high yield (up to 15 kg per bush).

Gardeners consider the variety ideal for growing in summer cottages.

Columbia Star

A relatively new variety of blackberry. Requires garter to support. Gardeners like:

• taste (sweet and sour) of berries;
• absence of thorns;
• compactness of the bush (creeping shoots up to 5.5 m);
• high yield (up to 10 kg per bush);
• self-fertility.

After picking, the berries are stored for 3-4 days without loss of marketability. Colombian blackberries delight with a mass of berries (up to 15 g). The plant has frost resistance down to -14 degrees Celsius.

Sweet Pie

Another new product among thornless varieties. It was created by breeders in the late 90s of the last century. Sweet Pie was created by crossing Navajo and Brazos.

This variety has the most delicious fruits. They have a high sugar content (up to 12%).

Characteristics of the variety:

• resistance to diseases and pests;
• unpretentiousness;
• The berries are medium-sized, glossy, juicy.

Sweet Pie is a successful addition to the collection.

Vaughn

A distinctive feature of the thornless variety is its small seeds that do not irritate when eaten. The variety was created in 1998. Characteristics:

• extended fruiting;
• preservation of marketability during transportation;
• the yield of the first year is 12 kg per bush, subsequently increases;
• winter hardiness is low (withstands frosts down to -12 degrees Celsius);
• shoots are erect, strong;
• absence of root shoots (does not creep around the area);
• resistance to anthracnose and rust.

Won is recommended for growing in summer cottages.

Late varieties

These varieties complete the berry season in the gardens.They produce a harvest in August and bear fruit until September, and some until frost.

Black Satin

Ancient thornless blackberry. It is grown by many gardeners. Distinctive features:

• yield depends on agricultural technology (if the rules are followed - up to 25 kg per bush);
• berry weights up to 5 g;
• the taste depends on the number of sunny and warm days;
• semi-creeping shoots (up to 5.5 m);
• can be grown without support, bending plants to the ground;
• frost resistance up to -22 degrees.

Black Satin is characterized by unpretentiousness and resistance to diseases.

Doyle

The most productive of the thornless blackberries. Plant characteristics:

• shoots are erect, slightly inclined to the ground;
• shoot length up to 4 m;
• maximum fruit weight - 8 g;
• extended fruiting (up to 2 months);
• the taste of the fruit is sweet and sour;
• the pulp is dense, aromatic;
• excellent transportability without loss of marketability;
• bushes are drought-resistant;
• frost resistance up to -15;
• resistance to diseases and pests.

The value of the variety is its productivity. Gardeners collect up to 50 kg of fruits from one bush.

Navajo

A remarkably easy-to-root and easy-to-care blackberry. Distinctive features:

• stable fruiting;
• extended fruiting (the harvest takes a month);
• pleasant taste (sweet and sour);
• frost resistance up to -20 degrees;
• transportability without loss of marketability;
• erect shoots up to 1.5 m high;
• When growing, it is possible to do without support.

Navajo Value: Blackberries are resistant to major diseases.

Oregon Thornless

The bush has creeping shoots. They grow up to 4-5 m. The plant has a stem free of thorns. The fruits are medium (up to 5 g). The taste is dessert, sweet and sour. If you follow the rules of care, it gives a yield of 12 kg per plant. The berries are transportable.Oregon grows on any soil, but the maximum yield is obtained by following the rules of agricultural technology.

Minus: without shelter it can withstand frosts down to -12 degrees.

Texas

Product of Michurin selection. Plant characteristics:

• long (up to 5 m) creeping shoots;
• young shoots are fluffy, then prickly;
• lack of root shoots;
• simple rooting of tops;
• fruit weight 11 g;
• the color of the fruit is raspberry-violet, with a waxy coating;
• the taste is sweet and sour.

Texas can be grown without support.

Thornfree

This is an upright form of blackberry. Its shoots grow more than 4 m and bend slightly towards the ground. To preserve the harvest, it is recommended to tie it to a support. Plant characteristics:

• absence of thorns;
• large clusters (more than 30 pieces of berries);
• the pulp is dense, juicy;
• excellent transportability without loss of marketability;
• stable fruiting.

This blackberry is an excellent industrial form. But in the northern regions it requires shelter for the winter.

Triple Crown

An excellent variety with extended fruiting. Its characteristics:

• shoots are erect, slightly inclined;
• length up to 4 m;
• vigorous bush;
• foliage is significant;
• yield up to 13 kg per plant;
• the berries are pleasant, sweet and sour;
• the pulp is dense, aromatic;
• excellent plant survival rate.

The berries do not fall off as they ripen. But in extreme heat they dry out the brushes.

Chester

The variety with pink flowers was created by American breeders for industrial use. Distinctive features:

• thornless form;
• abundance of clusters with fruits;
• semi-creeping shoots (up to 4-5 m);
• the bushes overload themselves with fruits: support is required.

With proper care, it is possible to collect 20 kg from one bush.

Gazda

Polish breeders created a variety with a small number of thorns.Weight of berries is up to 5 g. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour. The variety is characterized by high transportability and marketability. The plant pleases with its yield: if you follow the growing rules, it gives 20 kg per plant. Gazda is recommended for farms and summer cottages.

Enchantress

The Enchantress was created by Russian breeders. Plant characteristics:

• drought resistance is excellent;
• low maintenance requirements;
• berry weight up to 7 g;
• taste sweet and sour;
• frost resistance up to -30;
• resistance to major diseases and pests.

The plant produces a yield of up to 15 kg of dessert fruits per bush.

Thornless Logan

Representative of the Thornless group. This is a creeping form with long shoots (up to 5 m). Characterized by abundant clusters (up to 6 fruits each). The taste of the berries is pleasant, sweet and sour. Fruit weight is up to 4 g. The variety is easy to transport over long distances: the berries do not lose marketability.

Lawton

This is a typical bramble with erect shoots. Their length is about 3 m. Distinctive features:

• a large number of thorns;
• small berries (up to 4 g);
• extended fruiting (1.5-2 months);
• frost resistance up to -21.

Bush blackberries will delight you with excellent dessert fruits.

Shade-tolerant varieties

Blackberry is a southern plant. To fully develop the taste, it requires light throughout the day. But not all gardeners can provide such conditions for the plant. In this case, you should choose shade-tolerant species for planting. Representatives of this group grow with a lack of sunlight.

Agawam

A variety of folk selection. Distinctive features:

• bush with great growth energy;
• shoots are erect, up to 4 m long;
• there are thorns;
• produces a lot of root shoots;
• takes root at the tips of the shoots;
• frost resistance up to -30;
• clusters consist of 20-30 fruits;
• resistant to getting wet in spring;
• resistant to diseases and pests;
• grows in one place for up to 15 years.

But there are also disadvantages: ordinary, bland taste, low transportability, low shelf life.

Thornless Evergreen

A very ornamental plant. Characteristics:

• creeping shoots (up to 5 m);
• absence of thorns;
• flowers are white or white-pink;
• the leaf blade is cut;
• frost resistance up to -30;
• lack of root shoots.

The berries are sweet and sour, overripe - almost tasteless. The plant is used to create hedges.

Black Prince

An interesting variety of large-fruited blackberry. You can find forms with and without thorns. Excellent frost resistance (up to -30). Productivity up to 25 kg per bush. Minimal care required.

Frost-resistant varieties

Residents of various regions want to grow blackberries. And frost resistance, as a characteristic, is very important.

Such varieties and hybrids overwinter without shelter if the winter temperature does not fall below the level specified by the creators.

Apache

Winter-hardy variety: easily tolerates frosts down to -20 without shelter. The berries are sweet, large (up to 10 g). Produces a lot of root shoots. But it does not tolerate drought well.

Arapaho

The variety gives gardeners sweet berries. Withstands frosts down to -25. Advantage: no thorns. The shoots grow up to 2 m. It is recommended to tie them to a support.

Darrow

The variety was created by American breeders. It can withstand frosts down to -34 without shelter. The berries have a sweet and sour taste, but when overripe they are bland.

Abundant

The frost-resistant (up to -30) variety was bred by Michurin 100 years ago. It bears fruit successfully in one place for 15 years. The average yield is 3 kg per bush. The number of fruits increases with fertilizing and increased watering.

Polar

Polar is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and excellent survival rate. Therefore, it spread from industrial fields to private gardens. Frost resistance of the variety is up to -23, but can withstand frosts down to -30.

Ufa

The variety has higher frost resistance than Agavam. The berries are sweet. But the study of the variety is not finished yet: tests continue.

Guy

Product of Polish breeders. It was created 30 years ago. Frost resistance of the variety is up to -30. The fruits taste like mulberries.

Cherokee

The variety can withstand frosts down to -23 degrees. The shoots are thornless, the berries weigh up to 8 g. The berries are honey-like, ideal for canning and fresh consumption.

German uncovered

Thornless blackberries overwinter without shelter. Characterized by clusters up to 65 cm in length. The berries are sweet and aromatic. Productivity up to 30 kg per plant.

Remontant varieties

Gardeners are attracted to varieties and hybrids that bear fruit twice a season. The first harvest is obtained at the very beginning of summer, the second at the end.

Black Magic

Berries grow on this year's shoots. Moreover, there are no spines in the places where the brushes are located. The fruits are sweet, weight up to 11 g. Productivity up to 6 kg per bush per fruiting.

Prime Arc

The shoots have thorns at the bottom. Gives berries an excellent dessert taste. Excellent transportability. But it requires shelter for the winter.

Prime Jim

Plant characteristics:

• shoots have thorns;
• the bush grows up to 2 m;
• requires a garter to the support;
• fruits are sweet and sour;
• fruit weight up to 10 g.

A distinctive feature of blackberries: pink and white flowers.

Prime Yang

The fruits grow up to 6-7 g. They are characterized by a sweet taste and apple aroma.

Prime Arc Freedom

The fruits weigh up to 20 g, are sweet and aromatic. Shoots without thorns. Breeders provide data on high yields among remontant types.Frost resistance is low: up to -13.

Ruben

The largest-fruited of the remontant species. The weight of the berries reaches 16 g. The shoots are strong and erect. Possible to grow without support.

The best varieties for different regions of Russia

Gardeners wish grow blackberries everywhere. But when choosing a variety or hybrid, it is recommended to take into account the climatic characteristics of the region and the degree of compliance of the plant with them.

For the Middle Band

Agronomists recommend planting Agavam, Black Satin, Karaka Black, Ruben.

For the Moscow region

Ideal for the Moscow region: Apache, Aparacho, Brzezina, Doyle, Karaka Black, Lawton.

For cultivation in the Urals and Siberia

In the Urals and Siberia they bear fruit well: Polar, Eldorado, Gazda.

For the Leningrad region

In the Leningrad region, gardeners receive good harvests from: Brzezina, Doyle, Aparaho, Polar, Eldorado, Triple Crown, Darrow.

For the South

In Kuban you can grow: Ouachita (Auchita), Columbia Star, Jumbo.