Top 20 Boysenberry Varieties to Grow: Tips and Advice for a Successful Harvest

Boysenberries, a hybrid of blackberries, raspberries, and loganberries, are prized for their large, juicy berries and unique sweet-tart flavor. These berries are perfect for jams, pies, and fresh eating. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced grower, choosing the right boysenberry variety is essential for a bountiful harvest. Here, we explore the top 20 boysenberry varieties to grow and share essential tips to help you cultivate a healthy and productive patch.

1. Thornless Boysenberry

A popular variety with no thorns, this boysenberry is easy to harvest and produces large, flavorful berries.

Tip: Plant thornless boysenberries in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. They prefer slightly acidic soil for the best growth.

2. Traditional Boysenberry

This variety has the classic boysenberry flavor with a balance of sweet and tart. Though it has thorns, the large, juicy berries make it worth the effort.

Tip: Regularly prune traditional boysenberry canes after they finish fruiting to encourage new growth for the next season.

3. Black Satin Boysenberry

Black Satin produces firm, dark berries with a sweet-tart flavor. It’s known for its vigorous growth and large fruit.

Tip: Support Black Satin boysenberries with a trellis to keep the trailing canes off the ground and make harvesting easier.

4. Loganberry Hybrid

This boysenberry-loganberry hybrid produces slightly smaller berries with a rich, tart flavor, perfect for jams and preserves.

Tip: Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and prevent weeds from competing with your boysenberries.

5. Youngberry

Youngberry, a cousin of the boysenberry, offers smaller, sweeter berries. It’s excellent for fresh eating and making preserves.

Tip: Water consistently during the growing season to ensure the berries are plump and juicy.

6. Marionberry Hybrid

A cross between boysenberries and marionberries, this variety offers larger berries with a more intense flavor.

Tip: Marionberry hybrids benefit from a rich, organic mulch, which helps to keep the soil moist and encourages larger fruit production.

7. Evergreen Boysenberry

Evergreen boysenberries are known for their consistent production of medium-sized, tangy-sweet berries.

Tip: Regular pruning of the canes helps control the plant’s size and improves airflow, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

8. Thornfree Boysenberry

Thornfree varieties are perfect for gardeners who want to avoid dealing with thorny canes while still enjoying the full boysenberry flavor.

Tip: Install a trellis early to guide the growth of the long, trailing canes, making it easier to manage and harvest the plant.

9. Sweetheart Boysenberry

Sweetheart boysenberries are known for their exceptional sweetness and firm texture, making them ideal for fresh eating and baking.

Tip: Fertilize Sweetheart boysenberries with a balanced, organic fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth.

10. Olallieberry Hybrid

Olallieberries are a cross between blackberries and boysenberries, producing larger, sweeter berries with fewer seeds.

Tip: Olallieberries prefer well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering during dry spells for the juiciest fruit.

11. Prime-Ark Boysenberry

Prime-Ark is a primocane-bearing boysenberry, meaning it can produce fruit on both first-year and second-year canes.

Tip: For Prime-Ark varieties, prune the canes after the first harvest to encourage a second crop later in the season.

12. Boysenberry Bush

This compact variety is perfect for smaller gardens or container growing. The berries are medium-sized with a rich, sweet flavor.

Tip: Ensure the container has good drainage, and use a well-balanced potting mix that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged.

13. Triple Crown Hybrid

Triple Crown is a thornless variety that produces sweet, juicy berries late in the season. It’s ideal for extending the harvest period.

Tip: Provide plenty of space for Triple Crown boysenberries to spread, as their growth can be vigorous and sprawling.

14. Loganblack Boysenberry

A hybrid of loganberry and boysenberry, Loganblack produces dark, flavorful berries with a complex, tart-sweet taste.

Tip: Use organic mulch like straw or leaves around the base of the plant to protect the roots and conserve moisture.

15. Chester Thornless Boysenberry

Chester is a late-season variety that produces firm, sweet berries without thorns, making it easier to harvest.

Tip: Chester boysenberries benefit from regular watering, especially during the fruiting period, to prevent the berries from drying out.

16. Natchez Hybrid

Natchez is a cross between boysenberries and blackberries, offering early-season, large, sweet berries with a hint of tartness.

Tip: Prune Natchez plants in late winter or early spring to remove old canes and encourage new growth for the upcoming season.

17. Silvan Hybrid

Silvan boysenberries are known for their rich flavor and high yields. The berries are slightly smaller but packed with sweetness.

Tip: Provide a sturdy trellis to support Silvan canes, as they can become quite heavy with fruit during the peak of the season.

18. Apache Hybrid

This thornless hybrid produces large, firm berries with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh eating and freezing.

Tip: Apache boysenberries require full sun to develop their best flavor, so plant them in a sunny location for optimal growth.

19. Boysenberry Supreme

Boysenberry Supreme is a high-yielding variety that produces extra-large, juicy berries with a sweet-tart flavor, perfect for fresh eating and cooking.

Tip: Thin the canes during the growing season to prevent overcrowding, which can reduce the size and quality of the berries.

20. Black Jewel Boysenberry

This variety produces dark, glossy berries with an intense, sweet flavor. It’s ideal for making pies, jams, and jellies.

Tip: Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between watering to prevent root rot.

Tips for Growing Boysenberries Successfully

1. Choose a sunny location: Boysenberries need full sun to produce large, flavorful berries. Choose a spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
2. Well-drained soil: Boysenberries prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider planting them in raised beds or amending the soil with organic matter.
3. Mulch heavily: Mulch around your boysenberry plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain an even soil temperature.
4. Prune regularly: Pruning is essential to encourage new growth and keep the plants manageable. Remove old canes after they finish fruiting to make room for new ones.
5. Trellising: Boysenberries are trailing plants that need support. Install a trellis system to keep the canes off the ground, improving airflow and making harvesting easier.
6. Water consistently: Boysenberries need regular, deep watering, especially during flowering and fruiting. Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent root issues.
7. Fertilize annually: In early spring, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to boost plant growth and berry production.
8. Pest control: Watch out for common pests like aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. Use organic or chemical pest control methods as necessary.

Common Questions and Answers

Q1: How long does it take for boysenberry plants to produce fruit?
Boysenberry plants typically produce fruit in their second year after planting.

Q2: When is the best time to plant boysenberries?
The best time to plant boysenberries is in early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant.

Q3: How often should I water boysenberries?
Boysenberries should be watered deeply about once a week, more frequently in hot or dry weather, especially during fruiting.

Q4: Can boysenberries be grown in containers?
Yes, dwarf or compact boysenberry varieties can be grown successfully in large containers, provided they have good drainage and regular watering.

Q5: How do I prevent boysenberry plants from spreading too much?
Boysenberries can spread through their trailing canes. Use trellising to control their growth and regularly prune unwanted shoots to keep the plant contained.