Illini Hardy Blackberry vs Madawaska Raspberry

The Illini Hardy Blackberry was developed in Illinois for northern growers, and produces a large, juicy blackberry with medium-sweet flavor. The berries are ready for harvest in midsummer, and go great in preserves.

The Illini Hardy Blackberry, or the Illinois Blackberry, are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

The Madawaska Raspberry is a productive, early-fruiting variety with dark red berries that are juicy with a medium sweet flavor. They are very winter-hardy with great disease resistance. The berries are great for fresh eating and for baking or preserves.

The Madawaska Raspberry is a primocane variety. Prune stalks down each winter or early spring to get higher fruit yields and easier harvesting.

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