40 of the best varieties and cultivars of red raspberries with descriptions

Breeders have developed a wide variety of raspberry varieties, and novice gardeners often find it difficult to choose the right one. To ensure a good harvest and avoid common problems, it's worth familiarizing yourself with a list of the best raspberry varieties.

The best varieties of garden raspberries

All varieties of garden raspberries are divided into several categories. One of the important classification criteria is the duration of berry ripeningDepending on the region, it's important to select the appropriate varieties. Early and mid-season varieties are best for temperate climates, while late-season varieties can be grown safely in the warm Krasnodar region.

Early ripening

The advantage of early varieties is that they can be harvested as early as late June. This option is ideal for regions with cool climates.

Bryansk miracle

The Bryanskoye Divo variety grows as a medium-sized shrub, reaching 1.5-1.7 m in height. Its strong, flexible shoots are covered in numerous thorns. The leaves are large, rich green, and have a rough surface. White inflorescences are clustered in clusters and borne at the tips of the shoots. The fruits, weighing up to 11 g, are cone-shaped and have a sweet and sour flavor.

Zyugana

The Zyugana variety was developed in Switzerland and has become widespread in many countries. The bushes reach a height of 2 meters and form strong, thick, thornless shoots. This variety is disease-resistant, making it easy to care for even inexperienced gardeners. It produces several harvests throughout the season. The berries are juicy and pleasantly aromatic.

Hercules

The Hercules raspberry is a versatile variety. Ripe berries are suitable for fresh consumption, processing, and adding to desserts. The fruits ripen on spreading bushes 1.5-2 meters tall. The robust shoots are distinguished by abundant branching and stiff thorns. The fruiting area is located in the upper half of the plantings.

Mid-season

Mid-season varieties yield their harvest in the first ten days of July. These varieties are typically planted in regions with long, warm summers. Popular mid-season varieties include:

1. Brigantine. This species is characterized by upright shrubs up to 2 meters tall. The plants produce corrugated, dark green leaves. The stems have a small number of thorns. With proper care, each bush can yield up to 2.5 kg of berries.
2. Tarusa. The bushes reach a height of 1.5 m and actively form shoots. The leaves are large, corrugated, with grooves along the edges. The yield per bush is approximately 4 kg. The berries are large, obtusely conical.
3. A native variety. Upright and slightly spreading bushes up to 2 m tall produce approximately 7 kg of berries. The fruits are large, bright red, and moderately frost-resistant.

Late-ripening

Late-ripening varieties are best grown in regions with warm climates. These varieties produce a harvest towards the end of summer.

Heritage

The highly productive Heritage variety has gained popularity due to its high yield, distinct flavor, and versatile berries. The fruits ripen on compact bushes with upright shoots. The leaves are medium-sized, elongated, and pointed at the base.

Taganka

The Taganka variety is characterized by large, spreading shrubs, each producing 7-9 thick shoots. Four to five root suckers emerge each season. The shoots bear small, soft, purple-tinted spines. Berries form on branches in clusters of 20-30, which often leads to breakage due to their heavy weight.

Polka

This variety's name derives from its origins—it was discovered in Poland in 1993. A distinctive characteristic is that the berries can ripen even at freezing or slightly below-zero temperatures. The ripening period lasts from late July until the first frost. In addition to the main harvest, last year's shoots bear fruit in early summer.

Remontant varieties

Everbearing varieties are distinguished by their ability to bear fruit on one- and two-year-old shoots. Depending on climate conditions, fruiting in everbearing varieties lasts for 2-3 months.

Diamond

Under favorable conditions, the Brilliantovaya raspberry yields up to 3 kg of berries per bush. The ripening period begins in early August and continues until late autumn. The bushes reach a height of 1-1.2 m. One-year-old shoots acquire a reddish hue and become covered with a noticeable waxy coating. Two-year-old shoots are light brown and have small spines. The berries are juicy, sweet, with a slight tartness and a subtle aroma.

Reliable

The Nadezhnaya variety received its name due to its high resistance to adverse weather conditions. This raspberry variety forms vigorous bushes that are resistant to lodging. The shoots are covered with dense, sharp thorns. Each bush yields 3-3.5 kg of berries. The berries are blunt-conical in shape and have a glossy surface.

Eurasia

The large-fruited Eurasia raspberry is a standard variety characterized by frequent early fruiting. This versatile variety is suitable for fresh consumption, canning, and processing.

On bushes 1.3-1.6 m high, 5-6 replacement shoots are formed, and the number of shoots growing is minimal.

One-year-old shoots become thickened, covered with spines and a noticeable layer of waxy coating. At the end of the growing season, the shoots turn purple. Two-year-old stems are erect, brown in color, and bear medium-sized spines. The lateral branches have a woody structure and are sparsely pubescent.

Abundant

The Izobilnaya raspberry variety was discovered by crossing Elizabeth Keep seedlings with the Stolichnaya variety. During testing, the plants endured temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius.

The variety has a stable yield, high taste characteristics and a pleasant aroma.

The shrubs are compact and semi-spreading, reaching a height of up to 2.5 m. The annual shoots are thick and firm, thornless, pale brown, and slightly waxy. Each bush produces 8-10 replacement shoots and 4-5 root suckers. The leaf blades are medium-sized, rich green with a gray sheen, and smooth.

Popular red and black fruit crops

Many gardeners grow both the common red raspberry and the more exotic black raspberry in their gardens. Each crop has its own favorites that stand out among the wide variety. Popular red-fruited varieties include the following:

1. Balsam. Medium-sized, upright shrubs up to 1.8 m tall. The shoots produce a small number of short thorns. This variety is prized for its frost resistance and high productivity. A single bush can yield up to 2.5 kg.
2. Meteor. Vigorous bushes, 1.8-2 m tall, upright, and slightly spreading. This red raspberry variety is distinguished by its early and consistent ripening of berries. Each berry weighs 2.7-3 g. The fruits have a round-conical shape, a pleasant flavor, and a distinct aroma.
3. Companion. Bushes up to 2 m tall, vigorous, upright, with moderate shoot production. The Companion variety has good frost and fungal resistance. Yields from a single bush reach up to 2 kg.

Among the popular black-fruited raspberry varieties, the following options are worth considering:

1. Boysenberry. The main characteristic of this variety is its distinct flavor. It is one of the sweetest varieties with a pleasant aroma. Fruiting begins in late July - early August. The berries are a rich red color, juicy and tender flesh, and a round, slightly elongated shape.
2. Bristol. This variety is characterized by high yields—up to 5 kg of berries can be obtained from a single bush. The bushes grow in almost any soil and have strong roots.
3. Cumberland. This black raspberry variety is an early-ripening variety. The bushes are vigorous, arching, with thorns and a waxy coating on the shoots. The yield is approximately 4 kg per planting.

Frost-resistant

Frost resistance is an important criterion for choosing a raspberry variety when growing in regions with cool and unstable climates. Several varieties have gained popularity in the winter-hardy category, and you can choose the right one by reading the detailed description.

Hussar

The Gusar variety is highly productive and produces large berries. Each fruit weighs 4-10 g, depending on care. The shoots are strong and upright. The leaves are large and wrinkled. The plants do not bend to the ground even in strong winds or under the weight of the harvest.

Mirage

The Mirage variety grows moderately spreading bushes, reaching a height of 1.6-1.8 m. Berries begin to ripen in late June when grown in southern climates and in the second half of summer in temperate climates. The seasonal yield is 4-6 kg per planting.

Penguin

A characteristic feature of the Mirage variety is its rapid ripening. The first harvest can be collected in the first month of summer. The fruits acquire an elongated shape, a deep red color, and a distinct flavor.

The most productive varieties

Among the high-yielding varieties, there are several preferred by experienced gardeners. Popular high-yielding varieties include:

1. Arbat. A large-fruited variety producing berries weighing 15-18 g. The fruits are conical, oblong, and glossy. The flavor is sweet, the flesh is tender, and the aroma is distinct and pleasant. The yield per planting is 9 kg.
2. Beauty of Russia. This variety produces sweet berries weighing up to 12 g. It is classified as mid-early in terms of ripening time. The bushes have smooth shoots and produce fruit actively when planted in sunny areas. Yield directly depends on the quality of care.

Sweet-fruited varieties

The Pokhvalinka raspberry is a new variety with high disease resistance. The berries are sweet, large, and oblong. These tasty fruits are classified as dessert varieties.

The height of the bushes reaches 1.5 m, the yield is up to 10 kg, frost resistance is up to -30 degrees.

Another popular sweet variety is Nizhegorodets. This medium-sized plant has drooping shoots and produces dark red berries with a pleasant aroma. The fruit is easy to transport and does not bruise when stored in several layers.

Newly bred crops

The early-ripening "Nedosyazhnaya" raspberry, a newly bred variety, is widely sought after by gardeners. It has a refined flavor and vibrant aroma. Fruiting continues until the first frost. Raspberries require regular feeding and prefer loamy soil.

Also in the new variety category is the popular Bryanskaya Yubileinaya raspberry. The berries begin to ripen in late July. The bushes are upright and branched. The harvest is suitable for fresh consumption, processing, and making jams and preserves.

Large-fruited raspberries

Large varieties include berries weighing 7-15 grams. With proper cultivation, large-fruited raspberry bushes can yield over 6 kg. As the bushes mature, the yield increases. The fruits of these varieties resemble double berries, as they consist of double halves. The flavor and aroma of large-fruited raspberries often surpass those of classic varieties.

Transportable varieties with a long shelf life

The Lyashka raspberry is a popular early-ripening variety with good transportability. It was developed by Polish breeders. The bushes reach a height of 2.5 meters, forming stiff stems with small spines. A hectare of planting yields 17-20 tons of berries.

Glen Fine is another popular, transportable variety. This mid-early variety produces clusters of 20-25 berries each. The fruiting period is prolonged, lasting a month and a half. Glen Fine is prized for its resilience to adverse conditions, including drought and frost.

Resistant to diseases and pests

Growing varieties with high resistance to diseases and pests simplifies care. Varieties with good immunity include:

1. Yellow Giant. The bushes are vigorous and spreading, with well-developed roots and vigorous shoot growth. The stems are thick and strong, medium-sized. The berries, weighing up to 8 g, are conical in shape and an unusual yellow color.
2. The pride of Russia. This variety is widely grown due to its low-maintenance care. The berries are easy to remove from the stem and do not fall off when ripe. Each fruit weighs 8-12 g.

Standard

Standard raspberries are characterized by a thickened trunk with a woody structure. Standard varieties are grown without trellises. Raspberry trees reach a height of 2 m and actively form shoots. Berries on these varieties weigh between 4 and 18 g, depending on the variety. The most well-known standard varieties are Tarusa, Krepysh, and Skazka.

Old varieties of raspberries

Continuous breeding efforts lead to the development of new raspberry varieties, but some remain popular due to their excellent taste, ease of care, and other positive attributes. Among these varieties are the following: Nagrada, Stolichnaya, Mirage, Yubileynaya, Meteor, Taganka, and Padishah.

Each of the listed varieties has its own characteristics. When considering planting among older varieties, it's important to familiarize yourself with their detailed characteristics. Different varieties differ in cultivation nuances, berry weight and appearance, and bush shape and height.