[GrowinGrowinGone]

Just been thinking about next year and what else I would like to grow.  My mind turned to Blackberries, but I don't know what variety to go for.  I looked on the Which website, which recommended these.

Best varieties
Early: ‘Adrienne’ (with pink, double flowers) or ‘Helen’
Mid-season: compact ‘Loch Ness’
Late: ‘Oregon Thornless’ with very attractive, finely divided leaves


I thought great, I know which ones are best now and if they don't have thorns, even better.  But I have just been looking at some reviews for these and the general comments tend to be those without thorns, taste bland and not worth growing.  So I am back to square 1, so if anyone has any Blackberry tasting experience they could share please 

[Goosegirl]

I also subscribe to Which? but always check out other reviews as some items are either no longer available or others have found problems not noted by them - probably not their fault as they only have the one product to test. I seem to remember a variety called "Bute", but see whar reviews say for taste above size and quantity.

[compostqueen]

I think the blackberries in the hedgerows taste best. We were discussing this very issue only yesterday on the plots with folks saying that they were disappointed in the taste of their cultivated berries.  Hedgerow berries are plentiful and there for the picking so I'd recommend doing that and using the space to grow rasps 

[GrowinGrowinGone]

If I was to take a cutting from a wild variety, would that grow?  Or does it have to be from the root?

[brianbishop]

I agree with compost queen, no comparison between hedge and cultivated.
As to cuttings I would have thought it preferable to get a rooted piece, easy enough to do the way they spring up out of nowhere!!
Bish

[GrowinGrowinGone]

I might have to get a fork out later and take a walk to a hedgerow    Thanks for the replies

[mumofstig]

Look for a wild one with big berries, it'll be very thorny - but they do really seem to be the best 

I picked some down the footpath on the way back from the plot - and boy are they sour this year. I'll have to have a wander to look for some sweeter ones 

[compostqueen]

I got some really sweet ones on Sunday, found by the youngest member of our picking group    I've been out picking today while out with the dog and found some quite big ones, which are now with plums and apples under a blanket of crumble in the oven.  I only had about five plums so bunged them in to use them up