UK: New super sweet blackberry

In 2005, an exciting collaboration was set up between Hargreaves Plants and Prof. John R Clark at the University of Arkansas to breed new and super sweet varieties of blackberries to launch into the commercial and gardening sector. They now have trials sites in both the UK and USA with over 250 seedling selections being tested.

From the first seedling selections taken by Prof. Clark and Hargreaves Plants in 2007, the code HPB3 was chosen for its upright growth habit and super sweet fruits. In 2008 it was decided to call the variety Reuben after the breeder’s middle name. www.reubenblackberry.com

Special Plant—A World First
The most unique aspect of Reuben is that it is a primocane, therefore the plant will fruit on the first year’s growth, in the same way that raspberry Autumn Bliss and Polka do. The plant also exhibits an upright growth habit, making it a far cry from the usual public perception of wild blackberries, or brambles with their ground cover tendencies. Growing up to two metres tall with good compact laterals, this also makes for easy fruit picking

Special Fruit—Black Beauty
The fruits produced on Reuben are unlike any other blackberry. Measuring up to 4.5cm in length these are double the size of a normal blackberry, with an average berry weight of up to 14.5g per berry in UK trials, with the overall plant having a yield potential up to 3.5kg from a fully mature plant—that’s 7 x 500g punnets!

Special Taste—Super Sweet
Like all blackberries Reuben is delicious cooked, but unlike other non Arkansas varieties this berry tastes fantastic picked fresh from the plant—a real dessert blackberry. The sweetness level of fruit is measured on the Brix scale, with a sweet strawberry measuring between 8.5 and 9.5. Reuben averages 11.5 in UK trials, and has been clocked as high as 14! Add to that the texture being firm but juicy, this fruit has stunning eating quality and is sweeter than a strawberry!

Other Floricane Blackberry Varieties Available from this Breeding Programme

Apache
Natchez
Navaho
Ouachita

All of the above are available in 9cm and 1L pot sizes, and fruiting through July and August offer all of the taste and crop benefits that are associated with Reuben, giving the consumer a greater fruiting spread and also could allow for the possibility of a 3 or 6 pack offering.

Hargreaves are also promoting the Buddy strawberry. This breed is exclusive to Hargreaves and comes from the East Malling breeding program. Jonhathan Brown from the company says, "this everbearer is possibly the best tasting in the UK, with an average brix level of 10.2". This is much higher than normal, the strawberry was also accepted in the Sainsburys taste the different range beating a few well know breeds. www.buddystrawberry.com

Hargreaves Plants have been nominated for the Colour-your-Life Award at IPM 2012 for their Primocane Blackberry ‘Reuben’. One of only 20 nominees for the Award, and the only UK nomination, Hargreaves Plants will be exhibiting at IPM Essen on 24-27 January at the main UK Pavilion organised by Commercial Horticultural Association (CHA) in Hall 10, stand 10C13.

For more information:
Johnathan Brown
Hargreaves Plants
Tel: 0044 1406 366300
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 0044 1406 366321
Website: www.hargreavesplants.com
Hargreaves Plants, Cowpers Gate, Long Sutton, Spalding, Lincolnshire. PE12 9BS