Our ancestors did not even think of planting thorny blackberry bushes in their garden. This berry was picked in the forest, cooked delicious jam, made tinctures and just feasted on it. But now blackberry plantings in household plots are increasingly crowding traditional raspberries, currants and gooseberries. However, the Americans are far from us. In the New World, berries are grown on an industrial scale. And local breeders have succeeded in breeding new varieties. Now, to the delight of gardeners of all countries, the blackberry has become larger, unpretentious and even lost its unpleasant thorns.
Cumanica or dewdrop: types of berry shrubs
Blackberries are a close relative of raspberries, both are members of the Rosaceae family. Wild thickets of hedgehog berries are usually located near ponds and at the edges. In Russia, the most common two species: gray and bushy.
Giant blackberries (Rubus armeniacus) are found in the North Caucasus and Armenia. It was this berry that was first grown as a cultivated one. But the plant was so prickly that gradually it was replaced by new varieties, sometimes completely devoid of thorns.
In Eurasia, blackberries are often grown by amateur gardeners for their own pleasure. And on the American continents, whole plantations are reserved for this berry, it is bred for sale. The leader in the production of blackberries is Mexico. Almost the entire crop is exported.
Blackberries are shrubs or shrubs with perennial rhizomes and shoots that live only 2 years. The plant has picturesque complex leaves, green above and whitish below. There are evergreen forms. At the end of May or in June (depending on the variety and climate) the blackberry is covered with flower brushes. After, instead of white-pink small flowers, fruits appear. Drupe berry beads are gradually poured with juice, redden, and then acquire a dark blue color. In some varieties, they are covered with a bluish-gray coating, in others with a glossy sheen.
Sweet acid blackberry fruits are very healthy. They contain natural sugars, potassium, manganese, iron, vitamins A, C and E. These berries will help reduce body temperature, relieve inflammation, improve the digestive system, calm the nerves, and strengthen the immune system.
Despite many common features, plants combined under the name “blackberry” can differ greatly in appearance and cultivation characteristics. Conventionally, they can be divided into erect, climbing, transitional and non-bearing forms.
Blackberry upright
Blackberries, which grow like raspberries, are also called kumanika. These are tall (2 m and above) bushes with straight stems, eventually drooping in an arc. Usually they are grown with support on a trellis.
In the original forms, the shoots are covered with large, often curved spikes. Shrub blackberry prefers moist soil, without abundant watering, productivity will be low. The fruits are cylindrical in shape, blue-black, shiny. Most erect varieties withstand frosts well, although in the northern regions they need shelter. Bush blackberry propagates by root offspring and cuttings.
The view with erect shoots became the base for many varieties of American and Polish selection. These are Agavam, Apaches, Gazda, Ouachita, Ruben.
Blackberry climbing (creeping)
Blackberry shrub with sprouts creeping on the ground was called "dewdrop". A typical representative of the species in the wild is gray-blackberry growing in the forests of Eurasia, including in the West Siberian taiga. Curly shoots can reach 5 m in length. They do not need support, but gardeners often tie them to trellises. Numerous spikes in a climbing blackberry are small.
Fruits are more often rounded, less often elongated, blue-violet with a dull bluish coating. Yields of dewdrops are usually greater than those of Cumanica. However, the frost resistance of this plant is below average. Without good protection, the shrub will not survive the harsh winter. But the climbing blackberry tolerates drought, is not very demanding on the quality of the soil and can grow in partial shade. The culture is propagated by seeds, apical cuttings.
The most famous varieties of climbing blackberry: Izobilnaya, Texas, Lucretia, Columbia Star, Thorless Logan, Oregon Thornless.
Transitional view
There is a blackberry, which is something between an erect and creeping bush. Its shoots first grow vertically, and then wilt, reaching the ground. Such a plant propagates by root layers, and rooting of the tops. This type of blackberry is able to tolerate small frosts, but prefers to be insulated in winter.
Varieties of transition pitchfork include Natchez, Chachanska Bestrna, Loch Ness, Valdo.
Spiked Blackberry
Ashipless blackberry is a man’s creation; the species does not occur in the wild. The non-spiky plant was obtained by crossing split blackberries (Rubus laciniatus) with other varieties. Varieties completely devoid of thorns, with upright, creeping and semi-spreading shoots, have now been bred.
Video: the benefits of blackberries and the features of its cultivation
Varieties
According to some estimates, more than 200 varieties of blackberries have now been created; according to others, they are half as many. Selection of this berry culture has been going on for at least 150 years. The first hybrids were received by American gardeners back in the 19th century. The most famous Soviet biologist I.V. also contributed to the variety of blackberry varieties. Michurin.
At first, the selection of blackberries was aimed at creating large-fruited productive plants that are adapted to frosty winters. In recent years, breeders have taken a great interest in breeding non-studded varieties, experimenting with the ripening of berries. Now gardeners can choose a blackberry that fully meets their conditions, bears fruit twice a season. Classification of varieties is very arbitrary. One and the same species has the right to enter into 2-3 groups.
For example, the time-tested Agaveam variety is an early, winter-hardy, and shade-tolerant blackberry.
Early blackberry
Early blackberries begin to ripen in early summer: in the southern regions - at the end of June, in July in the north. The berries do not turn black at once, but in succession; harvesting usually stretches to 6 weeks. Among the early varieties there are prickly and non-prickly, erect and creeping blackberries. Their common disadvantage is low frost resistance.
Natchez
Natchez variety bred 10 years ago in Arkansas. This is a large-fruited blackberry (average weight of berries - up to 10 g), devoid of thorns. The shoots are semi-erect, 2-3 m high. The first berries ripen in June. They have a sweet, slightly astringent taste. The crop fully ripens in 30-40 days. From one bush manages to collect about 18 kg of fruit. Frost tolerance of the plant is low (can withstand up to -15aboutC) in winter needs shelter.
Ouachita
This is a very generous variety of American breeding. Bushes are powerful, vertical (height not more than 3 m), without thorns. Fruits are medium in size (6-7 g), ripen in June-July. The yield, according to the authors of the variety, is up to 30 kg from one bush. The disadvantage is that it can hardly withstand low temperatures (maximum to -17aboutFROM). It is difficult to cover the bushes, they do not bend well.
Giant (Bedford Giant)
Gigant blackberries are grown on an industrial scale. This is a shrub with climbing stems densely dotted with thorns. Dense and very tasty berries of medium or large size (7-12 g) begin to ripen by July. This variety is characterized by medium frost resistance, winters well under light shelter.
Columbia Star
This is one of the newest American varieties that have not yet gained popularity. Columbia Star is an early spiny blackberry with long shoots (about 5 m); they make it somewhat difficult to care for the plant. The creators of the hybrid promise high yields and very large fruits (up to 15 g). This blackberry patiently tolerates heat and drought, but is afraid of the strong (below -15aboutC) frosts. Experts note the refined taste of berries.
Chachanska Bestrna
A variety of Polish selection, which gives up to 15 kg of crop from the bush. It is convenient to pick berries from half-spreading shoots, there are no thorns on them. Juicy fruits are large, taste sweet and sour. Their disadvantage is the short shelf life. Blackberry Chachanska Bestrna is unpretentious, without problems tolerates heat, drought and cold to -26aboutC, rarely sick.
Osage
Gardeners celebrate Osage as a blackberry with the most refined taste. However, its productivity is not too high, 3-4 kg of berries are collected from one plant. The bushes grow vertically, their height is up to 2 m, shoots are spiky. The berries are oval-round in shape, medium in size. Resistance to frost is weak (does not withstand below -15aboutC), so you can’t do without shelter even in the south.
Karaka Black
This is a new variety of early climbing blackberry, developed by New Zealand biologists. Elongated fruits (their weight is 8-10 g) look original and have a characteristic sweet and sour taste. Fruits Karaka Black for a long time, up to 2 months, each bush gives a yield of up to 15 kg. The disadvantages of this blackberry are spiky shoots and low resistance to frost.
Read more about the variety in our article: Blackberry Karaka Black - champion in large-fruited.
Video: the fruiting of blackberry Karak Black
Varieties with a medium ripening period
These berry bushes produce crops in the middle or end of summer. The taste of the fruit often depends on the weather. In rainy summers they will be more acidic, in the heat they can lose moisture and dry out.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is considered one of the best in taste among undemanding varieties. This half-spreading blackberry is devoid of thorns, the bushes are compact. Harvest Loch Ness harvested from the end of July. It is stably high, with good care from one plant, about 30 kg of delicious berries with a slight sour taste are obtained.
Loch Tay
This short-necked hybrid is distinguished by sweet large (up to 15 g) berries with a dense skin that are almost not damaged during transportation. But the yield of the variety is not the highest, about 12 kg per plant. The flexible shoots of the blackberry Loch Tey are long, about 5 m, so they will need support. And before the winter, the lashes will have to be removed to shelter. Frost below -20aboutC destructive for this variety.
Valdo (Waldo)
This blackberry variety is time-tested and has received the best recommendations from gardeners. Shrub without thorns, creeping, compact, very convenient for small areas. The medium-sized (up to 8 g) berries ripen in July. About 17 kg is harvested from each bush. Resistance to frost is average, in a cold climate shelter will be required.
Kiova
The variety is distinguished by huge berries. The individual weight reaches 25 g, and the crop, ripening in July-August, reaches 30 kg from the bush. But the straight shoots of this blackberry are covered with sharp thorns. This plant can withstand frost to -25aboutC, but in the northern climate on the eve of winter, needs shelter.
Video: Kiowa large blackberry variety
Late grades
Blackberry varieties whose berries ripen late, as a rule, are unpretentious and will not require significant efforts from the gardener. They are good because the crop ripens towards the end of summer, and sometimes at the beginning of autumn, when other berry crops are already resting. But in the northern regions it is not always convenient. Sometimes a blackberry does not have time to ripen before the first snowfall.
Texas
The author of the variety is the Soviet natural scientist I.V. Michurin. He called his creation "blackberry raspberries." Crops are similar in leaf structure, ripening period of berries and their taste.
This is a strong creeping bush. Flexible shoots, like gourds, are covered with large spikes, leaflets and stalks are also prickly. It is more convenient to grow a variety on a trellis. Berries at the time of ripeness are dark raspberry with a slight bluish coating. To taste - a cross between raspberries and blackberries. The maximum yield of Texas is 13 kg per plant, the bush bears fruit up to 15 years. The disadvantage of the variety is its low resistance to frost. Without protection, this blackberry will not winter.
Oregon Thornless
A variety of American origin. He has spineless creeping stems growing up to 4 m, beautiful leaves. This blackberry is grown on a support, and sometimes used to decorate garden buildings. Berries of medium size (7-9 g) ripen at the end of summer. About 10 kg of crop is harvested from one bush. Oregon Thornless is able to withstand temperatures dropping to -20aboutC, but it will be more reliable to shelter it on the eve of winter.
Navaho
Another variety from American breeders. Direct shoots (average height - 1.5 m) grow without support and are devoid of thorns. Sweet-acid berries are small (5-7 g), ripen in August-September. From each bush collect up to 15 kg of fruit. The plant is undemanding to care, but its winter hardiness is low.
Triple Crown Thornless
The variety was created by gardeners from Oregon. This is a half-spreading blackberry, its flexible shoots extend up to 3 m. There are no thorns. Berries of medium size, yield - about 10 kg per bush. Blackberry Triple Crown tolerates heat and drought, but needs protection from frost.
Read more about the variety in our article - Triple Black Crown Blackberry: Triple Crown of Plenty.
Chester (Chester Thornless)
This variety has semi-friable compact and non-spiny bushes. The berries are relatively small (5-8 g), but the yield is above average. One plant produces up to 20 kg of fruit. Chester can be attributed to frost-resistant varieties, it can withstand temperatures drop to -25aboutC. But nevertheless, this blackberry will not hurt. In addition, the plant is poorly developed in the shade and on low marshy soils.
Thornfree
One of the most fruitful varieties of blackberries without thorns. According to gardeners, about 35 kg of berries can be collected from an adult plant. They ripen in August-September. Sour-sweet fruits elongated, medium size (up to 7 g). Thornfrey blackberry bush is semi-braided, sturdy shoots about 5 m long. The plant resists diseases, but does not tolerate cold. Winters under shelter.
Blackberry Black Satin
Black Satin is a variety well known to many gardeners. This blackberry has drooping harsh shoots that are free of thorns. Sweet, round berries are medium in size, weighing about 8 g. In a good summer and with careful care, it is possible to collect 20-25 kg of fruits from the plant, ripening lasts from August to October. Frost below -20aboutC grade does not stand up without protection. Also does not like stagnation of moisture.
Read more about the variety in our article - Blackberry Black Satin: a record crop is easy and simple.
Doyle
This blackberry is still little known among our gardeners.This is a new non-spiky variety that produces high yields at the end of the season. 25 kg of large (about 9 g) berries can be removed from each plant. The shoots are half-spreading, long, therefore, support will be needed for cultivation. Doyle is tolerant of drought and sultry weather, the plant must be protected from frost.
Shade-hardy varieties
Most blackberries are not capricious in their choice of soil and adapt to any conditions. But the taste qualities of many varieties depend on the location of the plant. Shortages of light and rainy summers make the berries more acidic. Although there are varieties that ripen equally well in the sun and in the shade. True, such a blackberry will not please the size of the berries.
Thornless Evergreen
This old variety, bred more than 100 years ago, at first glance, loses the latest. On the semi-spreading blackberry shoots of Thornless Evergreen, small, 3-5 g, fragrant berries ripen. But in each brush there are up to 70 pieces. Therefore, the yield does not suffer. In addition, Tornless Evergreen is one of the first varieties without thorns and can retain foliage even under snow, and in the spring the plant quickly begins to grow.
Agave
This blackberry variety has proven itself as a shade-tolerant and frost-resistant. Its spiky straight stems grow up to 3 m. The berries are small, up to 5 g, they are sung in July-August. Experienced gardeners collect about 10 kg of fruit from each bush. Blackberries Agawam dispenses with shelter in winter and even in strong ones (up to -40aboutC) frost does not freeze. The disadvantage of the variety is plentiful basal shoots, which gives a lot of trouble to gardeners.
Frost resistant blackberry
Upright and transitional varieties of blackberries tolerate lower temperatures better than creeping ones. Among the frost-resistant varieties there are prickly and springless, early and late.
Abundant
This blackberry is the result of the work of the legendary breeder I.V. Michurina. Variety with strong compact bushes, without root offspring. The shoots are half-spread, covered with curved thorns. The berries are oblong, medium size (6-7 g), taste sweet with sourness. Blackberry Izobilnaya - one of the most frost-resistant varieties of domestic selection. But in the northwestern regions of Russia it is better to cover the bushes with snow.
Ufa
Obtained from the Agawam variety. She adopted the main features from her ancestor, but differs in higher winter hardiness. The Ufa blackberry is successfully cultivated in central Russia. The berries of this variety are small (weight 3 g), but tasty. The yield is decent, up to 12 kg per plant.
Polar
The variety, created by Polish breeders, gives tall and strong stems without thorns. Large berries (10-12 g) ripen early. Polar can winter without protection in frost -30aboutC. In this case, the yield will be up to 6 kg per plant. Gardeners noticed that more bushes were being harvested from bushes that wintered under cover.
Arapaho (Arapaho)
This American variety, which appeared in the 90s of the last century, has already conquered gardeners around the world. Arapaho is a spiny blackberry with an early ripening period. Very juicy berries of medium size (7-8 g) have the shape of a wide cone. Productivity is above average. Blackberry Arapaho resists diseases well and can withstand without resistance a drop in temperature to -25aboutFROM.
Apache
Another variety from the United States entered the market in 1999. This blackberry combines the features of the best representatives of different species. Powerful vertical shoots are devoid of thorns. Elongated cylindrical berries are large, 10 g each, sweet, well stored. Productivity is so high that the variety is often grown as commercial. Apache perfectly resists diseases, winters without problems.
Darrow
A variety from America withstands frosts down to -35aboutC. The length of the prickly shoots is about 2.5 m. The berries are small, weighing up to 4 g. Their taste is initially sweet and sour. Overripe fruits acquire a great sweetness. The productivity of the Darrow variety is average, an adult plant gives up to 10 kg of berries.
Repairing grades
Such a blackberry gives two crops per season. The first ripens on overwintered shoots in June-July, the second - at the end of summer on young shoots. However, in regions with a harsh climate, it is unprofitable to grow repair varieties. Early berries can die from frost, and later berries do not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.
Prime Arc Freedom
A new vertically growing variety of prickly blackberries. Berries with a high sugar content and very large, from 15 to 20 g. Harvest, as the creators of the variety promise, should be plentiful. The disadvantages of the variety include low frost resistance. Without protection, this blackberry does not winter.
Video: fruiting of a repair blackberry Prime-Arc Freedom
Black Magic (Black Magic)
A low (up to 1.5 m) repairing blackberry matures in two waves: at the end of June and August. Berries of medium and large size, very sweet. Productivity is low, from 5 kg per bush. The disadvantages of the Black Magic variety are the presence of thorns and poor winter hardiness.
Ruben (Reuben)
This erect hybrid with powerful thorny bushes can be grown without support. The first crop is harvested in July, the second may be delayed until October. The berries are large, from 10 to 16 g, high productivity. But the blackberry Ruben does not tolerate heat more than 30aboutC and frost harder -16aboutFROM.
Blackberry for different regions
Blackberries have a long growing season. From the awakening of the bushes after hibernation to flowering, 1.5-2 months pass. Ripening and harvesting lasts 4-6 weeks. On the one hand, this is good: flowers do not die from spring return frosts and cold weather, blackberries are harvested when other berry crops are already resting. On the other hand, in regions with harsh climates, varieties with late ripening do not have time to fully yield the crop before the first snow. Therefore, local climatic features should be considered when choosing which blackberry to plant on its site. It is necessary to pay attention to the frost and drought tolerance of the variety, the fruiting time.
Varieties for the central strip of Russia, Moscow Region
For blackberries, which they plan to grow in central Russia, including near Moscow, the main characteristics are frost resistance and ripening time. The higher the first, the better the shrub will feel. However, even winter-hardy varieties will winter well if they are at least slightly warmed in the fall. You can sprinkle the bushes with leaves, sawdust, or fill up with a thick layer of snow. Thanks to this, you will not only save the plant, but also increase productivity.
As for the ripening period, early or mid-early blackberry varieties should be selected for a sharply continental climate. Late berries for a short summer may not fully ripen.
In the middle lane and in the suburbs of Moscow, gardeners successfully grow varieties of Thornfrey, Agawam, Ufa, Loch Ness, Thornless Evergreen, Darrow, Chester, Izobilnaya.
Blackberry for growing in the Urals and Siberia
The latest varieties of blackberries, characterized by ultra-frost resistance, are now grown by gardeners in the Urals and Siberia. For the harsh climate of these regions, Darrow, Apache, Arapaho, Ufa, Izobilnaya, Agavam are suitable. For the climate of the middle strip, these are non-covering plants. But the Ural and Siberian frosts can destroy them. Therefore, blackberries need protection.
If you want to achieve a decent crop, plant a heat-loving berry shrub in the sunniest places.
Varieties for Belarus and the Leningrad region
The Belarusian and St. Petersburg climate is similar, it is characterized by relatively warm winters and cool summers. Therefore, winter-hardy blackberry varieties with an average ripening period are suitable for such conditions. For example, Agawam, Arapaho, Triple Crown or Doyle. Plants that suffer greatly from frost will need to be insulated for the winter.
It is not necessary to plant repairing varieties in those regions and those that cannot tolerate high humidity.
Blackberry for the South of Russia and Ukraine
In the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine, almost all blackberry varieties will grow well, including repair ones. But you should pay attention to the drought and heat resistance of plants. For example, Ruben does not set fruit if the temperature rises to 30aboutFROM.
From a commercial point of view, it is especially beneficial to breed late blackberry varieties. Its berries will ripen when other crops have already disappeared from the market.
It should be noted that varieties with low frost resistance in winter will have to be covered even in mild climates. But the high resistance to low temperature will allow the gardener to relax. Most varieties survive without loss even a relatively warm winter.
Residents of Ukraine and Russians from the southern regions can recommend varieties Natchez, Owachita, Loch Tey, Valdo, Loch Ness, Tonfrey, Black Satin and Doyle. Thornless Evergreen and Agaveam will bear fruit well in shaded areas. Blackberry Prime Arc Freedom and Black Magic will produce two crops per season.
Video: An overview of the different varieties of blackberries
Gardeners reviews
Blackberry this year has pleased. Variety Polar. For us, a new, in my opinion, reliable culture. Polar has high frost resistance. Plus, the pit is warm from the ground. I’m more afraid of getting out.
Raphael73//forum.prihoz.ru/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4856&start=840
I tried my first blackberry this weekend ... This is a song. Tasty, sweet, large ... There were only a few ripe berries, we both flew in, about to take a picture, only then remembered. Grade Triple Crown super! Yes, and not prickly at all.
Tatyana Sh.//www.tomat-pomidor.com/newforum/index.php?topic=7509.20
I really like the tastes of Doyle, Natchez, Owachita, Loch Ness, Chester, Asterina and others, the fact is that different varieties ripen at the same time, in my climate fruiting starts from the end of June until the frosts. But frost resistance is more difficult, there are no ideal varieties, so that it is not prickly, and large, it can withstand frosts and bears fruit all summer, all modern varieties require shelter for the winter. But many lovers successfully grow garden blackberries both in the Vladimir Region and in all areas of the Moscow Region, only varieties must be selected for each region. There are varieties with increased frost resistance, such as the Polar straight-grown, the declared frost resistance is up to -30, early, Chester is also up to -30, but late.
Sergey 1//forum.tvoysad.ru/viewtopic.php?t=1352&start=330
I have two bushes growing - Loch Nes and Thornfrey, according to sellers. It begins to bear fruit in August and until October black and blue small berries hang and ripen. But they were never tasty - sour with blackberry flavor. In the spring they were slightly frosted.
Clover 21//forum.tvoysad.ru/viewtopic.php?t=1352&start=330
Three years ago, I acquired three early varieties of non-spiky blackberries: Natchez, Loch Tey and re-grade Black Diamond. This year there were only 2 shoots bearing fruit, the berry was large and very sweet on all three bushes. Shelter is mandatory for the winter. And most importantly, when a new substitution shoot grows to 10 cm, it needs to be bent to the ground with a hairpin to grow lying. Then it is easy, without breaking the shoots, to twist it for the winter and cover it with a spanbond.
Elena 62//www.tomat-pomidor.com/newforum/index.php?topic=7509.20
First, Black Satin was spontaneously planted, and then she studied about the culture itself, about varieties, about shelter, and it came to understand that it was worth bothering. After experimenting with BS, it became clear that only early varieties like Natchez and Loch Tey are suitable for us. Even after trying the berry BS were pleasantly surprised, a good berry. It winters well, there are no problems with shelter with proper formation during the summer.
Anna 12//forum.tvoysad.ru/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1352&start=360
I have about 16 blackberry varieties growing. Tested at his site even more. Many removed or did not survive the first winter. Helen removed, now the shoot from him does not give me rest, the weed is terrible. I removed Karaku Black this fall, I don’t know what awaits me next year. Of the prickly ones, Black Magic remained. But the spines on it seem to be small. The remaining varieties are not prickly. Agricultural technology, like raspberries. He likes watering and feeding. Thawed shoots are cut to zero, grown over the summer - take refuge in the winter. Nothing complicated, in gratitude - a sea of berries!
GalinaNick//www.tomat-pomidor.com/newforum/index.php?topic=7509.20
I want to introduce the new repair grade BLACK MAGIC. A wonderful, early, tasty and very productive new variety. It is all the more pleasant for me that it is perfectly pollinated in our 40-degree heat and in low humidity, the only drawback is the spikes, but about the variety everywhere there are only rave reviews. In the spring, I managed to purchase two tiny seedlings in 200-gram containers, planted them in the exhaust gas and carefully looked after, what was my surprise when the bushes bloomed in August and the signal berries ripened in September, this was the first time I had fruit in the planting year.
Sergei//forum.tvoysad.ru/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1352&sid=aba3e1ae1bb87681f8d36d0f000c2b13&start=345
Blackberries are increasingly crowding traditional cultures in our areas. This berry has a lot of advantages. But in order to get a decent crop and not be disappointed in blackberries, you need to pay attention to the choice of variety. The modern market offers varieties that can be grown in different climates without special worries.