Rubus fruticosus 'Loch Maree'

The Rubus fruticosus 'Loch Maree' is a variety of self-fertile garden blackberry that offers an incredibly decorative pink flowering and deliciously sweet and fruity fruits. Robust and vigorous, this plant forms an upright clump just over 2m (7ft) tall. Its thornless branches make picking easier. Numerous clusters of beautiful semi-double pink flowers cover the plant from May to July. From mid-July to late August, it produces plenty of medium-sized berries, weighing about 8 grams, juicy, sweet, with a hint of acidity. With a fruity and aromatic flavour, this blackish-purple fruit, enriched with its colours and fragrance, enhances coulis, jellies, jams, pies, and fruit salads.

Planting is done in autumn but preferably in spring for regions with cold or wet winters. Despite a slightly lower hardiness (-15 °C (5°F)) than other blackberry varieties, 'Loch Maree' is easy to grow and disease-resistant. The early ripening of this variety can also yield good results in partially shaded areas.

Rubus belongs to the rose family, originating from the mountains of the Caucasus in Asia Minor. This genus has diversified over time, giving rise to several subgenera, including raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and common blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). This latter genus includes numerous subspecies differing in fruit size, colour, and acidity. This berry has been consumed in Europe and America for about 2000 years. Rubus fruticosus is commonly known as the bramble or wild blackberry. It is a woody climbing liana that can reach a width of 5m (16ft) or more, with stems usually armed with thorns. It is found in many temperate regions worldwide, where it is often considered an invasive plant.

The 'Loch Maree' blackberry is an English garden blackberry originating from a blackberry selection program at the James Hutton Institute, a scientific research institute in Scotland. The objective was to create new blackberry varieties well adapted to the cold and wet weather of the British Isles. This new cultivar has an upright habit, is thornless, and has early fruit ripening. The plant reaches 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) in height, with erect branches stemming from a stump that can occupy 0.5 to 0.8m (2 to 3ft) of ground space. The foliage is deciduous, falling in autumn. It is bright green and composed of small, toothed, compound leaves with visible veins similar to raspberry leaves. The stems only live to bear fruit (2 years) and are gradually replaced by shoots from the stump. Flowering and fruiting generally occur on 2-year-old branches, so renewing them yearly through winter pruning is essential. From May to June, the abundant and melliferous flowering consists of numerous pale pink, semi-double flowers in 2-3cm (1in) diameter cups grouped in clusters. The resulting fruits are composed of drupes clustered on the receptacle, adherent. They are of medium size, larger than wild blackberries, turning red and shiny black when ripe. They should be picked when entirely black, as they become sweet, tangy, juicy, and flavorful.

The 'Loch Maree' blackberries ripen from mid-July, and the harvests continue until the end of August. They are delicate fruits that need to be carefully picked when perfectly ripe. Thanks to the thornless branches, picking becomes more enjoyable. They can be lightly washed with water. Blackberries keep better in the refrigerator and can be frozen. They are delightful to eat fresh right after picking. Still, they can also be used for many culinary purposes: jellies, jams, sorbets, coulis, syrups, juices, tiramisu, crumbles, puddings... not to mention the famous blackberry pies. Low in calories but rich in minerals (manganese, iron, potassium), vitamins C and K, fibre, and antioxidants, blackberries contribute to a balanced diet.

Hardy to -15 °C (5°F) and easy to grow, the 'Loch Maree' blackberry is content with ordinary soil, although it prefers fertile, well-drained, and fresh soil. A sunny or slightly shaded exposure is preferable. It is quite vigorous and produces numerous lateral shoots from the stump. 'Self-fertile, 'Loch Maree' can ensure its pollination, but other blackberry varieties nearby will optimise cross-pollination, thereby increasing fruiting while diversifying the harvest. Good mulching helps limit evaporation and preserves soil fauna.