Originating from Scotland the tayberry is a cross between a blackberry and a red raspberry. It’s fruit is larger and juicier and has a unique sweet/tart flavor that lends itself to fresh eating, jams, jellies and pies. It is closely related to the loganberry and was originally created as an improved loganberry. The fruit is an attractive magenta to purple color and matures later in the summer than blackberries and has one large harvest per year. It is named for the Tay River in Scotland which is where it was bred.

The tayberry’s growth habit is much like the blackberry and just as blackberries and raspberries, the canes die after bearing fruit. New canes quickly take their place and the old canes should be pruned out after the fruit has been harvested. It likes a sunny, well-drained location and is self-pollinating.

If you are looking for something different to add to the garden this year the tayberry might be just the right plant for you. While tayberry pie doesn’t have the same ring to it as blackberry pie, the taste won’t disappoint!