NC State Extension Publications

 

Early season blackberries and floricane-fruiting raspberries ripen shortly after strawberries, which makes them ideal crops to extend the berry harvest season. Within the southern region of the US, yields and adaptation vary based on location within the state. Harvest season also varies by state. For example, early ripening blackberry cultivars will be harvested two to four weeks earlier in southern Georgia than in North Carolina.

Although the fruit color of blackberries is standard (Figure 2-1), yield, fruit size, shape, plant architecture, and the season of ripening of cultivars can be quite diverse. Additional information on the blackberry cultivars listed below can also be found online. The recommendations in Table 2-1a, and Tables 2-1b, 2-2a, and 2-2b are based on research trials and grower experience throughout the southern US.

Blackberries perform well throughout most of the states that belong to the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium. Most of the common cultivars have a moderate chilling requirement (number of hours at which temperatures are between 32 to 45°F in winter) and tolerate hot summer climates. Where low chilling occurs—such as southern Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana—some blackberries do not perform as well. Growers in these regions should choose a low chilling cultivar (<400 hours). See Table 2-3 for plant and fruit traits and chilling hours for some blackberry cultivars.

Each year, new caneberry cultivars are released from breeding programs around the world. The University of Arkansas has developed more than 40 blackberries and has been the primary source of cultivars adapted to the southern region of the US. The University of Arkansas maintains a Blackberry breeding page with cultivar descriptions and videos. If you are contemplating planting a new cultivar on your farm, it is best to conduct small trials to determine if they perform well in your area and fit into your marketing plan.

Although raspberries can be grown in some regions in the South, exposure to high summer temperatures that are common in the region for extended periods will slowly weaken plant vigor over time and the plants will die sooner than in cooler northern climates. Fruit perishability also increases greatly with high temperatures during harvest. In general, raspberries produce well in the Southeast at elevations above 2,000 ft. However, research at North Carolina State University has shown that raspberries for local markets can be produced at lower elevations and under high tunnels in some regions, such as the western piedmont of North Carolina. Tables 2-2a and 2-2b include cultivars that have been tested in the states across the region. However, there are several new cultivars that have not been tested and are not listed below but are also worthy of trial if raspberries are known to do well in a particular region.

Table 2-1a. Recommended floricane-fruiting blackberry cultivars for Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Georgia (GA), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN) and Virginia (VA). No data are available for raspberry cultivars in LA. Contact your local Extension agent for recommendations or try these plants on a trial basis in your region.
Variety Growth Habit State (region within state if applicable) Thorns Season Comments
NC GA TN SC VA AR LA MS AL
Arapaho Erect All1 All NR2 All All No, due to low yields All All NR No Early Lower yields; plant at higher density.
Natchez Erect All Trial3 Trial Trial Trial All All All NA4 No Early (slightly before or with Arapaho) Very large fruit; very high yield; tends to over produce so careful pruning is essential; winter hardiness is poor in high elevations.
Sweet-Ark™ Ponca Erect All NA NA NA NA All Trial NA NA No Early New cultivar; excellent flavor; medium size berry; shortened internodes.
Sweet-Ark™ Caddo Erect All NA NA NA NA All Trial Trial NA No Early New cultivar; similar to Osage for flavor but larger berry size.
Osage Erect All All Trial Trial Trial All All Trial NA No Early to Mid Good flavor and production; small to average berry size.
Ouachita Erect All All All All All All All All NA No Early to mid Excellent flavor; high yields.
Apache Erect NR NR All All All NR All All North and central No Mid White drupelets can be severe; local sales only.
Kiowa Erect NR All; except high mountains All All All NR All All All Yes Mid Low chilling; best for local sales and PYO.
Navaho Erect All All All All All All All All NA No Mid to late Stores well; excellent flavor; average size; quite susceptible to orange rust; long harvest season.
Von Erect All Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial NA No Mid to late Holds up well in rain; high yields; average size; tolerant to multiple diseases.
Chester Semi-erect All All All NA All NR NA NA North and Central AL No Very late Tart, average quality; very high yields; late; old variety; often used in jams, jellies, and processing.
Galaxy Semi-erect Trail NA NA NA NA Trial NA NA NA No Very late Large fruit; good flavor; firm berries.
Eclipse Semi-erect Trial NA NA NA NA Trial NA NA NA No Very late Very firm; slightly smaller berry size than Galaxy.
Twilight Semi-erect Trial NA NA NA NA Trial NA NA NA No NA Very large berries; very firm and crisp texture; sweet flavor.
Sweetie Pie NA NA NA NA NA NA NA All NA No Mid to late Medium size; very sweet soft fruit; not for shipping; PYO and local markets only.
Triple Crown Semi-erect All NA All NA All All NA All All No Very late Sweet; good yields; local sales only; old variety.

1All — The cultivar is recommended for all regions of the state.

2NR — Not recommended.

3Trial — Not enough data; recommended for trial only.

4NA — No information available at this time.

For states with regions of very low chilling, see Table 2-3. Chilling hours for cultivars.


Table 2-1b. Recommended primocane-fruiting blackberry cultivars for Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN) and Virginia (VA).
Variety Growth Habit State (region within state if applicable) Thorns Season Comments
NC GA TN SC VA AR LA MS AL
Prime-Ark® Horizon Erect All1 (Floricane crop only) NA4 NA NA NA Trial3 NA NA NA Yes Primocane crop, similar season to PA45 Large fruit, and long primocane fruiting season; reduced thorn density compared to Prime-Ark® 45.
Prime-Ark® 45 Erect All (Floricane crop in piedmont; Primocane crop in western piedmont and lower mountains) Trial NA NA NA All NA Trial NR2 Yes Floricane crop early; primocane crop is possible in cooler regions Very thorny; large, nice berries for shipping.
Prime-Ark® Freedom Erect Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial All NA Trial Trial No Floricane crop very early; primocane crop earlier than Prime-Ark® 45 Thornless; primocane-fruiting; soft berries for home garden or local market only.
Prime-Ark® Traveler Erect Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial All NA Trial Trial No Floricane crop very early; primocane crop earlier than Prime-Ark® 45 Thornless; primocane-fruiting; suitable for shipping.

1All — The cultivar is recommended for all regions of the state.

2NR — Not recommended.

3Trial — Not enough data; recommended for trial only.

4NA — No information available at this time.

For states with regions of very low chilling, see Table 2-3. Chilling hours for cultivars.


Table 2-2a. Recommended floricane-fruiting raspberry cultivars for Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Georgia (GA), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN) and Virginia (VA). No data are available for raspberry cultivars in LA. Contact your local Extension agent for recommendations or try these plants on a trial basis in your region.
Cultivar State/Region Season Comments
NC GA TN SC VA AR LA MS AL
Mandarin Mountains and piedmont Mountains and piedmont All1 NA4 Mountains and northern piedmont NA NA NA NA Early summer, before blackberries Availability may be very limited; fruit quality inferior.
Dormanred All All All NA NR2 All NA All, limited to homeowner NA Mid-summer Attractive fruit; very low quality unless cooked.
Lauren Trial3. Mountain and western piedmont NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Postharvest shelf life is poor; dark fruit; medium-large fruit; very good yield.
Moutere Trial. Mountains and western piedmont NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Attractive fruit; good yield.
Nova Trial. Mountains and western piedmont NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Shows some heat tolerance.

1All — The cultivar is recommended for all regions of the state.

2NR — Not recommended.

3Trial — Not enough data; recommended for trial only.

4NA – Not available at this time.


Table 2-2b. Recommended primocane-fruiting raspberry cultivars for Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN) and Virginia (VA).
Cultivar State/Region Season Comments
NC GA TN SC VA AR LA MS AL
Caroline Mountains and western piedmont Trial3. Mountains and western piedmont All1 NA4 Mountains and northwestern piedmont All NA NA NA Mid-fall Medium berries; medium red color; late-season; average quality.
Heritage Mountains and western piedmont Trial. Mountains and western piedmont All NA Mountains and northwestern piedmont All NA NA NR2 Early fall Small berries; medium-dark red color; late-season; average quality.
Kwanza® Trial. Mountain and western piedmont Trial. Mountain and western piedmont NA NA Trial. Mountain and northwestern piedmont NA NA NA NA Late fall Large, orange red berries; good shelf life; susceptible to sun burn.
Kweli® Trial. Mountain and western piedmont Trial. Mountain and western piedmont NA NA Trial. Mountain and northwestern piedmont NA NA NA NA Mid-fall Round shape, red color; fruit large; good shelf life.
Nantahala Mountains and western piedmont Mountains and western piedmont All NA Mountains NA NA NA NA Late fall Medium berries, light red color; very good quality; excellent flavor; excellent postharvest quality.
Autumn Britten Mountains Mountains and western piedmont NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Early fall Large berries; dark red color.
Himbo Top Trial. Mountain and western piedmont NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Mid fall Medium berries, shiny red color; long season.
Joan J Mountains NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Mid fall Medium berries; darker red color; thornless.
Anne Mountains NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Mid fall Medium berries; yellow berries; PYO only (very soft fruit).

1All — The cultivar is recommended for all regions of the state.

2NR — Not recommended.

3Trial — Not enough data; recommended for trial only.

4NA— No information available at this time.


Table 2-3. Plant, fruit, and chilling hours of several common self-fertile blackberry cultivars.
Fruit Cultivar Notes
Floricane-fruiting Apache* Thornless. Late season harvest, just after Navaho. High yield with large fruit with high storage potential. Can have problems with white drupe disorder. Requires an estimated 800 hours of chill.
Caddo* Thornless. Early season harvest. Ripens between Natchez and Osage. Fruit are similar to Osage for flavor, but larger in size. Unique aromatic component to flavor. Requires an estimated 400 hours of chill.
Natchez* Thornless. Early season harvest, very large fruit. Strong growing canes, which must be winter pruned to avoid over-cropping. Low chill requirements, estimated to be around 300 hours.
Navaho* Thornless. Mid-late season harvest with good storage potential. Moderate yield with small to medium size fruit. Susceptible to orange rust. Requires an estimated 800 hours of chill.
Osage* Thornless. Early-mid season harvest. Good flavor. Berries are slightly smaller than Ouachita and fruit are round in shape. Requires an estimated 350-400 hours of chill.
Ouachita* Thornless. Early to mid-season harvest, after Osage. Widely adapted and high yields. Very erect canes. High storage potential. Requires an estimated 400-500 hours of chill.
Sweet-Ark™* Ponca* Thornless. Early season harvest. Very good flavor. Primocanes have shortened internodes but produce full-length canes. Floricanes retain dark green leaf color into late season. Has good basal bud crop potential that may result in season extension. Requires an estimated 400 hours of chill.
Von Thornless. Late season harvest near or just after Navaho beginning harvest. Developed in North Carolina. Good post-harvest storage potential, fruit is medium size. For trial in Arkansas. Requires an estimated 800 hours of chill.
Triple Crown Thornless. Late season harvest. Semi erect canes. Good flavor and yield. Medium size berry. Post-harvest quality is only suitable for local markets. Requires an estimated 800 hours of chill.
Primocane Fruiting Prime-Ark® 45* Thorny. Erect canes. Good floricane yield potential in Arkansas. Primocane crop variable in regions where heat impairs flower development. Large fruit size. Good fruit quality and flavor. Requires an estimated 300 hours of chill.
Prime-Ark® Freedom* Thornless. Floricane crop is very early, before Natchez. Primocane crop variable. Storage potential is somewhat limited compared to other cultivars for shipping. Stiff canes. Good berry size. Seed size is small. Low chill requirement: requires an estimated 100 hours of chill. Subject to spring freeze and frost damage to early flowers.
Prime-Ark® Horizon* Thorny. Erect canes. Large berry size on both floricane and primocane fruit in the South. Good flavor. High floricane yield potential. Long primocane fruiting potential in fall, extending later than Prime-Ark® 45*. Good fruit firmness. Chilling requirement unknown but expected to be approximately 300 hours.
Prime-Ark® Traveler* Thornless. Medium fruit size. Good post-harvest storage potential. Primocane crop variable in Arkansas, typically lower yielding than Prime-Ark® 45. Good floricane crop potential. Reduced fruit acidity. Requires an estimated 300-400 hours of chill.

* University of Arkansas release.

Eleven blackberry variety samples demonstrating varied size.

Figure 2-1. Blackberry fruit from blackberry cultivars. Fruit from these cultivars vary in yield, size, and flavor.

Source: Isabella Norsworthy and Carmen Alyssa Johns, University of Arkansas.

Authors

Extension Specialist (Small Fruits)
Distinguished Professor, Horticultural Science
Extension Specialist, Associate Professor
Department of Horticulture, University of Arkansas
Extension Assistant
Horticultural Science

Find more information at the following NC State Extension websites:

Publication date: Feb. 23, 2023
AG-697

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