Hybrid berries (also termed rubus hybrids) are the result of crossing between various cultivars of Rubus species, typically Blackberries, Raspberries and Dewberries. The fruit resemble Blackberries but are larger, longer and slightly redder.[1] Each hybrid has a distinctive flavour and can be grown in the same way as Blackberries, fan-trained on horizontal wires supported by posts.[2] This article has more information about this training method:[3] Hybrid berries have perennial root systems and biennial stems which fruit in the second growing season. In the first year the shoots, termed canes are vigorous, long arching stems. In the second growing season, most hybrid berries put out side shoots from the cane which flower and bear fruit. Most hybrid berries crop in this manner are termed "floricanes". Those few that fruit in the first year are termed "primocanes".
Introduced in 1979 by Dr. D. Jennings, and named after the River Tay in Scotland. Hybrid between the American blackberry cultivar "Aurora" and raspberry. Essentially an improved version of the Loganberry,[4] and some say, the best hybrid berry.[5][6] A chance mutation in 1998 resulted in a spine-free version (Buckingham Tayberry),[4] although seemed to perform worse than the original Tayberry, which received the "Award of Garden Merit" from the Royal Horticultural Society.[7]
Cultivars:
Tayberry group AGM – thorns. Medium vigour. Good cropping (2.2-4.8kg per plant) sometimes said to be heavier cropping than Loganberry. Early-main season. Cropping period of about 1 month, mid-July-Aug. Fruit medium sized, larger than Loganberry and Raspberry. Taste sharper than Raspberry, sweeter than Loganberry. Tolerates sandy soil. H5 (winter -15°C to -10°C). Can suffer in winter in exposed northern locations, or heat damage in very hot weather. Good general resistance to disease. Possible pests encountered: aphids, leafhoppers, raspberry beetle and gall mites.[7][8][9][5]
'Buckingham' – thornless. Medium vigour. Poor cropping. Fruit large but sometimes v small, distorted. Flavour tangy, flavoursome. Early season.[8]
'Medana' - heavy cropping. Virus free strain. Primocane.
