Thornless Blackberry recommendations

[littlemoney]

I removed an Oregon Thornless blckberry in the Autumn as it wasn't producing many new canes and the ones it had had been getting shorter over the years. I need a replacment in the same spot so I can use the existing support wires.

I am looking for a tasty variety I have found Helen, Waldo and Loch Ness on Ken Muir web site. Can anyone tell me how the taste/flavour compares between these varieties.

Thanks

[Kirk]

I have grown Loch Ness and Waldo, both a nice taste, different to the "bramble" that you may be familiar with.
One produces longer canes then the other, I suggest the shorter caned variety - cannot recall which it is.

[WendyC]

I grow Loch Ness too. They grow on fairly short upright canes, almost like a raspberry. Can't compare with the flavour of the others as I don't grow them but they suit us fine! Ken Muir is a very helpful company, you could always ring them and ask.

[Alison]

I found that the thornless ones are generally less productive for some reason or maybe birds eat more of them as they have less natural defence. Not sure, somebody else may know or it might just have been a one off with my plant - unfortunately can't remember the variety and it was replaced years ago by another unknown but thorny one from a sucker / cutting off a very vigorous plant.

One word of caution though, if you're putting it in the same place you may have the same problems as with your previous plant. It might be the location which is the problem. I'd suggest making sure the soil is very fertile before planting.

[planetologist]

Like Alison, I would suggest not to plant in the same place. There are climbers that you could use the support wires for that are not closely related to blackberry.

[chrisdb]

Not on your list, but I have Triple Crown and it's very productive for me. It's also a very vigorous variety though, and needs 3-4m of fence easily.

[littlemoney]

Thanks for all your replies. Unfortunatley it is a blackberry that I need and I have to plant it in the same spot as I don't have anywhere else with supports and I am unable to build another one now. I removed the old blackberry in October, don't know if that will help at all.

What I really want is a sweet tasting thornless blackberry and I often use them raw rather than cooked.