The Fruit Trials Sub-Committee met yesterday for a second assessment of the summer fruiting cultivars in the Raspberry trial. During this meeting they began what will be an ongoing assessment of the blackberry and hybrid berry collection at Wisley. This will take place over the next few years with a view to identifying the most worthy for the Award of Garden Merit.
Amongst the blackberries and hybrid berries such as boysonberries and tayberries the committee assessed the Japanese Wineberry which is not a hybrid berry but a different Rubus species, Rubus phoenicolasius.
Apparently just as easy to grow as raspberries, this berry is particularly attractive and would make a great ornamental feature in a garden as well as being productive. We tasted some of the glossy, vibrant red berries and they were delicious. For more information visit the website of Blackmoor Nurseries in Hampshire: http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/index.php?cPath=382 Stock of the Japanese Wineberry is available from Blackmoor Nurseries and a number of nurseries listed in the RHS Plant Finder: http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/pfregions.asp?ID=16146