The best varieties of blackberries

Blackberries first appeared on the American continent. As soon as she was in Europe, she had to get used to, because there are completely new climatic conditions and a different type of soil. Wild blackberries did not leave indifferent breeders and they began active work, thanks to which many varieties and hybrids were obtained, whose characteristics were significantly improved. Blackberry varieties have appeared that completely lack thorns, large berry sizes and consistently high yields. At the moment, about 300 varieties are known in the world, which in most cases were bred thanks to American scientists.

Description of blackberry varieties: classification

description of blackberry varieties

Blackberries have a wide variety of varieties. It is divided into three main groups depending on the structure of the bush:

• Kumanika this group includes varieties with erect shoots that bend extremely weakly.

• Into the group Rosyanki includes plants whose stems are of the creeping type. They can be more than 5 meters in length.

• IN semi-creeping the group includes few varieties. Their peculiarity lies in the structure of the branches. At the beginning of their development, they are erect, and after the lapse of time they become creeping.

Particularly popular among blackberry lovers are those who are part of the kumanik group.

Varieties can have early ripening, medium and late.

These are the main groups, but there are also varieties belonging to intermediate subcategories, such as mid-early or mid-late.

As for frost resistance, they can have: good resistance, medium resistance, or be completely unstable to any cold.

Those plants that have good or average resistance can be grown in almost all regions of the country, but they will need to be covered in any case. Those varieties that are not tolerant of cold weather should be grown in the southern regions.

The stems can be sprinkled with thorns or none at all. Today there are remontant varieties. Their main difference from other varieties is that the formation of shoots can also occur on young branches that have appeared in the current year. Before the onset of winter cold, all shoots are cut to the very base. Blackberries are also classified into large fruit varieties, high yield varieties and flavor characteristics.

First of all, breeders working on the development of new varieties, emphasis was placed on obtaining blackberries with large fruits. Together with him, work was carried out aimed at increasing the resistance of varieties to frost. A big drawback that interferes with the care and harvesting is the presence of thorns, so the breeders set about solving this problem. As soon as the thornless varieties appeared, the blackberry immediately became incredibly popular all over the world. The work on the blackberry plant does not stop and various experiments are constantly being carried out. Breeders not only manage to change the ripening dates, but also managed to create a blackberry that can be harvested twice a season.

When breeding varieties, different varieties of blackberries are crossed, therefore many varieties have similar characteristics. The division into groups can be considered rather arbitrary.In one plant, properties such as frost resistance, early ripening of large berries and shade tolerance can be collected. If a plant does not have resistance to winter cold, then this does not mean that it will not be able to grow in mid-latitudes. This says that the plant will need to provide some care and better shelter for the period of winter cold.

What varieties of blackberries are considered the most productive:

blackberry varieties: photo

When choosing a variety, gardeners are most guided by what crops they can collect from one bush. After all, everyone wants to land less and get more. However, it is always worth remembering that the amount of the harvested crop will depend not only on the selected variety, but also on what kind of care was provided. Varieties with the highest yields:

1. Agave - shoots of this variety are strewn with thorns. Possesses high resistance to diseases and frosts down to -30 degrees, The branches reach two meters in length. Fruits weighing 4 grams reach full maturity between August and September. One blackberry bush produces about 10 kg. berries.

2. Ufa local - to obtain this variety, the Agavam variety was used. Its shoots are also covered with thorns, but in terms of sweetness in taste and resistance to frost, it surpasses Agaves. Possesses high resistance to various diseases. Fruits weighing 3 grams are ready to harvest in August. One bush produces more than 10 kilograms of berries.

3. Flint - The shoots are covered with thorns and extend to a three-meter height. They are highly resistant to various diseases and frosts down to -40 degrees. Fruits weighing 7 grams reach full maturity by mid-July. One bush produces up to 10 kilograms of berries.

Repaired blackberries: the best of the varieties

blackberry of the "Ruben" variety

Repaired varieties are prickly and with a complete absence of thorns. Those that have spines are usually of medium length, but have a consistently high yield. To obtain the greatest yield, thinning pruning is carried out, during which no more than five strong branches remain on the bush. In Europe, remontant blackberries are grown using a closed method, thus prolonging the fruiting period. Due to the many fruits that are formed on remontant varieties, branches break off. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to support the plant by fixing it to the trellis.

1. Ruben - has a high resistance to disease and frost, but not tolerant of long periods of drought and poor soil. Erect branches reach a length of two meters. On those branches on which the fruit is formed, thorns are completely absent. Fruits weighing 14.5 grams reach ripeness from August to October. The first harvest is small, but every year it only increases.

2. Black Magic - the variety is highly resistant to diseases, frost and drought. Its branches are erect and grow up to 2 meters in height. They are covered with thorns, but they are not next to the berries. Fruits weighing 11 grams ripen in the second half of August, but if you do not cut off the branches of last year, then you can start harvesting in the middle of summer. From one bush, you can collect 6 kilograms or more.

3. Prime Ark 45 - This variety is disease-resistant, but not cold-resistant. Before the beginning of winter, you need to cover the root zone well. Thorns cover only the shoots located at the bottom of the bush. Fruits weighing 9 grams ripen at the end of summer or in the first days of autumn. In 2009, tests of this variety were carried out for the ability to bring high yields, which it withstood with honor.

4. Prime Yang - Two-meter long erect branches. The main branches are covered with thorns. The plant has a high resistance to diseases and is able to take root even in difficult conditions. Fruits of medium weight and size ripen in late summer or early autumn. The yield can be classified as medium-high.

5. Prime Jim - it's too early to talk about the characteristics of the plant, since this is a completely new variety that is still being tested. Today we can only say that it is covered with thorns and the taste of the berries is similar to mulberry. Its branches are erect and it is recommended to cut them under the base before the onset of winter cold weather.

blackberry "black magic"

Garden blackberry: description

For growing in the garden, all cultivated varieties that have been described above are suitable. There is also a hybrid variety called Marion, which deserves special consideration. This plant, as a raspberry-blackberry crop, has become the standard for breeders when breeding new products. Bushes of this variety with branches covered with thorns reach six meters in height. Fruits weighing 5 grams have an amazing taste and aroma. The first berries ripen in the last weeks of June. Yields are always consistently high.

Blackberry varieties of different ripening periods:

blackberry of "Medana Tayberry" variety

To get a good harvest, you need to choose the right seedling when buying, paying attention to its ripening time. When grown in the southern part of the country, this does not matter, since any variety will have time to ripen. In the North of the country, preference should be given to early or mid-early varieties.

Early

This group includes those varieties whose berries reach maturity at the end of June. As a rule, in the varieties included in this group, the fruits are sour and emit a faint aroma. Such blackberries are more suitable for preparing blanks than for fresh consumption.

Medana Tayberry - a hybrid variety with high resistance to diseases and requiring shelter for the period of winter cold. Spreading shrub with long spiny branches. The fruits ripen in late June or early July. This variety is ideal for commercial production as its yields are always high.

Black Bute - bushes of this variety are creeping type. They have good immunity and can easily tolerate long dry periods. The branches are covered with small thorns. One fruit can weigh 23 grams. Ripening occurs in mid-June. This variety has appeared quite recently and is classified as a high-yielding variety.

Giant - creeping bushes have a high resistance to diseases and frost. Fruits weighing 7 grams reach maturity by the beginning of July. Refers to high-yielding varieties. Eldorado - long erect shoots covered with large thorns. Has a high resistance to diseases and moderate to winter cold. Before the onset of frost, the plant must be covered. The fruits begin to ripen early, but are stretched over a long period of time. Refers to high-yielding varieties.

blackberry "Giant"

Mid-season

Fruiting of berries in blackberry varieties of medium ripening occurs at a time when the early varieties are already leaving. The peculiarities of such varieties include the fact that the berries ripen at the same time. They have a sweet taste, emit a pleasant aroma and give a lot of rich juice.

Tupi - erect bushes of the Brazilian variety, showered with small thorns, possessing strong immunity and medium resistance to cold weather. Fruits weighing 10 grams ripen from July to August. A high-yielding variety that can often be found on supermarket shelves. Loughton - The upright branches of this bush are scattered with large brown thorns and reach a length of 2.6 meters. They are highly resistant to disease and moderate to frost. Not afraid to drop temperatures down to -21 degrees. ... Fruits weighing 4 grams ripen from July to August. You can collect about 10 kilograms from one bush.

blackberry "Tupi"

Late

Late ripening varieties are best planted in the southern regions of the country so that the berries have enough time to fully ripen. Such varieties are harvested at the end of August or even in September. Their fruits are ideal for preservation, for making juices and wines.

Texas - a bush with creeping shoots and large thorns.This variety has no root shoots. Disease resistance is described as normal. Fruits weighing 11 grams ripen in August. Belongs to varieties of medium yield. Black-fruited - shoots one and a half meters long are covered with many small thorns. Medium-sized fruits ripen from August to September. From one bush, you can collect about 5 kilograms of berries. They have normal disease resistance.

Abundant - shoots are covered with small thorns, grow 3.5 meters long. They have normal resistance to diseases, but weak to winter cold. Fruits weighing 4 grams ripen fully in August.

blackberry "Texas"

The best winter cold-resistant blackberry varieties:

For those who live in the cold regions of Russia, it is best to cultivate winter-hardy varieties of blackberries. It is especially pleasant that in most cases such varieties do not have thorns, they are hybrids. The leaders in resistance to low temperatures and possessing thorns are the Agavam and Gigant varieties.

Gazda - a vigorous bush. It is covered with small thorns, and fruiting begins from the second year of life. Fruits weighing 7 grams ripen from August to September. After the harvest is harvested, all shoots should be cut to the very base. Gazza is highly resistant to diseases, long-term transportation and is perfectly stored. For its cultivation, fertile loams are more suitable, and the place should be sunny.

Darrow - a bush with erect branches reaching a height of three meters. The weight of one berry is 4 grams, their taste is sweet with a pronounced sourness. Yields only increase every year, about 10 kilograms are harvested from one bush. This variety perfectly tolerates the cold, second only to the Agavam variety. Easily copes with frosts down to -34 degrees.

blackberries of the "Darrow" variety

Bush blackberries:

It is much easier to grow bush blackberries, since they are compact. Shoots are tied up like others, but they are limited in growth. Particularly stand out among bush varieties Agave, Chokeberry and Loughton, whose descriptions were above.

Creeping blackberry varieties:

In creeping bushes, the shoots reach a great length. They spread along the ground and if they are not tied up, then the fruits begin to rot, and this also makes it difficult to harvest. Creeping varieties include Texas, Giant and Black Bute, which are described above.

One cannot ignore the variety Karak Black, which belongs to the creeping type of plant. Its branches are thorny, fruits ripen early. One berry weighs 11 grams, about 5 kilograms is collected from one bush. The bush of this variety bears fruit within two months. The fruits keep well and are therefore well suited for sale. When landing, a distance of 1 meter should be observed. If Karaka Black is grown in cold regions, then its taste will be with a pronounced sourness.

Choosing the right blackberry variety:

blackberry variety Agavam

When choosing a blackberry variety, it is important to take into account the climate of the region where it will be grown, only in this way the bushes will correspond to the characteristics. Living in the southern territories, you can cultivate any varieties. All varieties are also suitable for the middle lane, but with the condition that they will hide before the onset of cold weather. When grown in the North, it is better to pay attention to varieties with high frost resistance and early to medium ripening. Blackberries ripening late will give much less harvest due to the short summer period.

All blackberry varieties are drought tolerant due to their long roots that extend deep into the ground. Thanks to this, the plant can extract its own moisture. However, you should be aware that if watering is not carried out, then the quality of the fruits will be significantly reduced.

The volume of the harvest, it is also important to know when choosing a variety. It is important to consider here that when grown in a garden plot, the yield will be slightly less than that stated by the manufacturer.The reason is not a desire to deceive his buyer, just an amateur gardener cannot follow all agrotechnical rules followed by professionals with special education.

If you want to grow blackberries with excellent taste in your garden, which will be pleasant to eat fresh, it is best to pay attention to varieties of medium or late ripening. The early varieties have a less sweet taste and a weak aroma. It is important to remember that taste can change depending on the climate. The same variety in the south will be sweeter than in the north.

Moscow suburbs

In the Moscow region, you can cultivate all varieties of blackberries, only for the period of winter cold they must be reliably covered. For culture, snowless winters are more terrible than severe frosts.

Suitable for growing Giant a prickly representative of early varieties. It has good resistance to frost, but nevertheless it must be covered. Such varieties as Black Bute and El Dorado.

Agavam belongs to the most unpretentious and productive varieties that can be grown in the Moscow region. In fact, breeders talk about this variety as a weed plant. Its adaptation to local conditions takes a short time. For 10 years, the bush will consistently bring crops without transplanting to another place. The second place, as the most unpretentious variety, is Darrow.

In the Moscow region and in the Moscow region, you can safely grow remontant blackberries, since this climate is ideal for it, due to its high resistance to frosty and little snowy winters. This blackberry is not afraid of a prolonged autumn, and spring with frosts at night. Repaired varieties can be grown in places where mice are running around, as they are not afraid of them. Varieties are ideal Black Magic, Poime Arc 45, Ruben and Prime Yang.

Siberia

For cultivation in Siberia, it is necessary to choose a blackberry with a high resistance to frost with an early or medium ripening period.

For this region, varieties such as Darrow and Gazda, they are able to withstand a drop in temperatures below -30 degrees. The collection of berries can be done mechanically. For planting, you should choose sunny areas protected from the wind from the North side. In this region, the variety will also feel great. Agave.

The most suitable early variety for Siberia would be El Dorado ... His adaptation goes pretty quickly. During the winter, it is necessary to ensure that there is a large layer of snow on the bushes.

Middle lane

All remontant blackberry varieties can be grown in these climatic conditions. After harvesting, all branches are completely cut, which protects them from freezing and rodents. To protect the roots, cover them with a layer of mulch and spruce branches.

Good yield, with growing in the middle lane, can be obtained from the variety Agave, from frost-resistant Ufa honest and Flint.

South

Any blackberry crop in the south can be grown without shelter.

Outcome:

Having decided to grow blackberries on your site, apply for the purchase of seedlings in a nursery or a specialized store. Only in this case can you be sure that you will purchase the variety that you have planned.