Polar and Brzezina: Winter-Hardy Blackberry Varieties for Estonia

'Polar' Variety

'Polar' is a thornless blackberry variety of Polish selection, bred in 2008. The bushes are erect and vigorous, reaching up to 2.5 m in height. The shoots are thick and strong; the upper part is slightly curved, but there are no thorns. 'Polar' does not produce root suckers, which significantly simplifies care. This variety is winter-hardy – it withstands frosts down to -25 °C, making it suitable for Estonian gardens.

'Polar' berries are large (9–11 g), oval, deep black with a slight glaucous bloom. The flesh is firm, sweet, with a pleasant tartness and berry aroma. 'Polar' receives high scores for taste. One bush typically yields 5–6 kg of berries per season.

'Polar' fruits abundantly and over a long period: the first berries ripen as early as July, and the main harvest wave lasts until September. Thanks to their firm skin, the berries tolerate transport well and maintain their market appearance for a long time. Early ripening and a long fruiting period are especially valuable in the conditions of the short Estonian summer.

For good growth, 'Polar' needs a sunny spot protected from cold winds and nutritious neutral or slightly alkaline soil. It is convenient to grow the bushes with support: tall shoots should be tied to a trellis. During drought, ensure regular watering for the bushes, and in autumn, bend the shoots to the ground and cover them with mulch or spunbond for reliable wintering.

You can buy 'Polar' saplings via this link: 'Polar' blackberry saplings.

'Brzezina' Variety

'Brzezina' is a new thornless blackberry variety of Polish selection, introduced in 2012. The bush is very vigorous, up to 3 m high, with semi-erect shoots. It produces almost no suckers, and the shoots are strong. This variety is claimed to be highly winter-hardy, but it is better to bend the shoots to the ground and cover them for the winter.

'Brzezina' berries are medium to large (averaging 5–6 g, sometimes up to 9 g), elongated, black, and shiny. They are gathered in clusters of 8–10. The taste is sweet, with a slight pleasant tartness and no bitterness. The aroma is fruity, with a tasting score of about 4.6 points. 'Brzezina' yield is very high: a mature bush can produce up to 8–9 kg of berries.

'Brzezina' is an early variety – for us, the main harvest wave falls at the end of July or early August (in Poland, the peak is in mid-July). Fruiting is prolonged, usually 4–6 weeks. The berries store excellently, do not leak, and remain marketable for a long time. This is a floricane variety (two-year cycle): fruit forms on the previous year's shoots, so old stems are cut out after harvest.

For 'Brzezina', also choose a sunny place with fertile, well-drained soil. Do not forget to train the shoots to the ground in autumn and cover them with straw, spruce boughs, or spunbond to reduce the risk of freezing. Stable high yield with proper care makes 'Brzezina' an excellent choice for our climate.