Common varieties of berries

Directory of Common Berry Varieties

Here is a directory of the most common berry varieties:

Highbush Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum

• Distance between plants: 100 – 150 cm.
• Soil: moderately rich, very acidic, dry or slightly moist.
• Tips: for good pollination, grow at least 2 varieties, but ideally 3. If you only have space for one plant, choose 'Patriot', it is self-fertile.

Blackcurrant, Ribes nigra

• Distance between plants: 100 cm.
• Soil: tolerates all soils, but prefers a rich and rather heavy soil.
• Tips: to get a good yield, it is better to plant 2 or 3 plants of different varieties.

Strawberry, Fragaria ananassa

• Distance between plants: 30 cm.
• Soil: rich, light, and very well-drained.
• Tips: plan for 3 different cultivars based on their harvest date. For example: an early variety, a mid-season one, and a late one, for guaranteed enjoyment.

Raspberry, Rubus idaeus

• Distance between plants: 75 – 90 cm.
• Soil: rich, rather light, and well-drained.
• Tips: there are 2 ways to plant them: in a bush or in a line. Stake according to the height of the variety.

Everbearing Raspberry, Rubus idaeus

• Distance between plants: 75 – 90 cm.
• Soil: rich, rather light, and well-drained.
• Tips: everbearing raspberries yield 2 crops per season and a small harvest at the start of the season.

Gooseberry, Ribes sp.

• Distance between plants: 100 cm.
• Soil: tolerates all soils, but prefers a rich and rather heavy soil.
• Tips: a happy cross between blackcurrant and gooseberry. Very productive.

Redcurrant, Ribes rubrum

• Distance between plants: 100 cm.
• Soil: tolerates all soils, but prefers a rich and rather heavy soil.
• Tips: most redcurrants are hardy, strong, and disease-resistant.

Large-fruited Gooseberry, Ribes grossularia

• Distance between plants: 100 cm.
• Soil: tolerates all soils, but prefers a rich and rather heavy soil.
• Tips: also called "gooseberry". More or less thorny. The fruits are larger and more acidic. Can serve as a small defensive hedge thanks to its thorns.

Blackberry, Bramble, Rubus sp.

• Distance between plants: 60 – 120 cm.
• Soil: rich, rather light, and well-drained.
• Tips: these blackberries should be able to be laid on the ground and protected with an insulating fabric for the winter.

Rhubarb, Rheum X cultorum

• Distance between plants: 60 – 100 cm.
• Soil: rich, slightly acidic, fresh, and well-drained.
• Tips: perennial, very hardy. Cut back in the fall.

Grape Vine, Vitis spp. And hybrids

• Distance between plants: 150 – 200 cm.
• Soil: moderately rich or poor, light or heavy, and well-aerated.
• Tips: new American-type hybrids are more hardy.

Would you like more advice on planting and maintaining berries? Check out our article on berry cultivation now.