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3 New Blackberries That Are Out of This World

Avatar for Paul Rusnak Posted by Paul Rusnak|October 25, 2020

The latest blackberry varieties released from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) might have growers and consumers alike reaching for the stars. According to ARS, the best of eastern and western blackberry genetics have been combined to create ‘Eclipse’, ‘Galaxy’, and ‘Twilight’.

ARS’ Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis, OR, collaborated with the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station to blend desirable traits of eastern erect-cane blackberries and western trailing blackberries into new varieties with thornless semi-erect canes to fill new niches in the fresh berry market.

Here are specs for these blackberry varieties as detailed by ARS:

Eclipse

‘Eclipse’ was the first of the three varieties from these crosses to move from the test fields to final selection. Its name was changed from ORUS 2816-4 to ‘Eclipse’ to commemorate the total solar eclipse visible in Corvallis in 2017.

One of Eclipse’s parents, ‘Triple Crown’, known for highest marks in productivity, vigor and flavor, ripens in late summer. ‘Eclipse’ inherited the same triple high scores, but it ripens earlier, filling a hole in the fresh market harvest season between when trailing varieties ripen and when Triple Crown ripens.

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“‘Eclipse’ inherited Triple Crown’s outstanding flavor, beloved for its sweet, fruity taste, with hints of root beer and spice,” said biological technician Mary Peterson, who works in the blackberry breeding program. “But what ‘Eclipse’ has that ‘Triple Crown’ doesn’t is a firmer skin that gives you a good pop when you bite down. Firmer skin also means the berries handle and ship better and don’t leak, which is always an attractive feature for the fresh market.”

Galaxy

The second blackberry release, ‘Galaxy’, also has ‘Triple Crow’n as a parent and inherited similar traits, with the firmer skin of ‘Eclipse’. But it produces a few days earlier than ‘Eclipse’. ‘Galaxy’s’ berries are slightly larger than those of ‘Eclipse’ with dark-colored fruit.

“People who’ve tasted ‘Galaxy’ have detected hints of blueberry, mint and grape,” Peterson said.

Twilight

The third release was named following the same sky theme, and the specific name ‘Twilight’ was selected because it ripens last of the three varieties, four to five days after ‘Eclipse’, Peterson explained.

‘Twilight’ is higher yielding than Eclipse. Peterson reports that tasters have remarked on its complex, deep blackberry jam flavor, with floral and honey notes, but the berries are perhaps not quite as sweet.

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Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media Worldwide brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.