Berries & Grapes for Orange County 

Blackberries, Raspberries, and their hybrids 

Most varieties of bramble berries grow and produce fruit in Orange County.  The key is to choose the varieties that consistently produce a good quantity of good quality berries with few disease problems.

These plants require ample sun to insure sweet fruit.  They also enjoy sandy soil and ample moisture.   

These plants grow long arching or trailing stems (canes).  Stems are normally thorny.  Vigorous growth can easily overwhelm the small garden if not maintained.  Main harvest is in late spring and early summer on last year’s growth.  As these 2nd year canes are fruiting, new canes are sprouting from the base.  These will bear fruit the next year.  Some varieties will produce a fall crop on this new growth (everbearing varieties).  Canes die and are removed following the spring crop. 

            Blackberry plants are spaced 4-8 feet apart and are usually grown on a trellis or fence.  Each fall old fruited canes and young spindly canes are removed and the sturdiest of the current year’s canes are cut back to 6-10 feet long.   

            Raspberry plants are closely related to blackberry but differ in that the fruit separates from the core when picked.  Cultural requirements are similar.  Raspberries are planted 2-4 feet apart.  The canes are fairly stiff and don’t require much support.  Year old canes are usually headed at 3-5 feet in the winter. 

Boysenberry Blackberry- Raspberry hybrid  Large black fruit with fine flavor on a productive wickedly thorny plant.  Train like blackberry.  My kids love the sweet-tart flavor.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

Fall Gold Yellow Raspberry Everbearing  Large yellow berry with good flavor. 

Triple Crown Blackberry  Medium size fruit with firm high quality flesh on trailing thornless stems.  Needs local evaluation.

Tulameen Red Raspberry  Very large bright red fruit with good flavor.  Long harvest season in summer.  From Vancouver.  Needs local evaluation.

Blueberries

  Southern Highbush Blueberries can do very well in Orange County.  These varieties from Florida love our climate, but hate our soil and require ample moisture. Provide proper soil by growing blueberries in Laguna Hills Nursery Acid Mix (peat moss and pumice).  Blueberry plants usually grow faster in large containers.  This is probably because the acidic soil is not being affected by any native alkaline soil.  

Blueberry plants are deciduous bushes distantly related to Azalea.  Berries are harvested mainly in late spring and early summer.  These varieties are self-fertile, but a substantially larger crop results from pollination from a different variety. 

  This year we are carrying a few rabbiteye blueberry varieties (#).The fruit of these are generally superior to southern highbush, but do require pollination from a different rabbiteye variety and as a whole need a cooler winter to be consistent performers. 

Misty  MCR 150.Very large, light blue fruit of excellent quality and firm flesh. Upright growth to 6’ tall. 

O’NealMCR 300.Large fruit of superior quality especially the ‘blueberry’ flavor. Spreading plant to 6’ tall. From North Carolina. Not reliable on hilltop locations. 

South MoonMCR 250.Large firm fruit with very sweet, low acid flavor. Large plant to 6-10’ tall. Resistant to root diseases. 

Sunshine BlueMCR 150.Small to medium size good quality fruit. Ornamental bush grows 3-4’ tall. From Florida. Tolerates native soil better than any other blueberry.MOST ORNAMENTAL 

Strawberries

Can be grown successfully almost anywhere in the U.S.There require ample moisture and soil with a high oxygen content. Local farms grow them in a double row 12-18” apart on top of beds raised 18” covered with plastic film. Commercial fields are replanted annually. In home gardens they can produce well for 1-3 years. 

There are 2 kinds.Everbearing strawberries produce lightly for most of the year, heavy at times. Spring bearing varieties produce heavily in the spring. 

ChandlerEverbearing, but heaviest in spring. Large wedge shaped red fruit with firm red flesh and excellent flavor. Highly aromatic. A modern commercial variety that ships well and does not soften rapidly if left in the field. OUR BEST SELLER! 

SeascapeSpringbearing, somewhat everbearing.Extra large, firm berry of good quality. Extremely vigorous, disease resistant plant with huge foliage. 

SequoiaSpring bearing, somewhat Everbearing. Very large, sweet flesh with superior flavor. Does not store well, or hold well in the field. Pick frequently. The flavor by which all new strawberries are compared. VERY POPULAR FOR MANY DECADES. 

Grapes

Grapes are fairly reliable in Orange County. Most varieties are sweeter when grown away from the coast. Grapes require little fertilizer and average water. There are two kinds of commonly grown grapes. 

European (E) grapes are the most popular table and wine grapes. They have tender skin and firm flesh. Unfortunately they are susceptible to mildew in most of Orange County which can totally destroy the crop. Most European grapes prefer inland heat. 

American (A) grapes have thicker skins, felt covered foliage, and are essentially immune to mildew. Most American grapes will ripen with little heat and many can tolerate some shade. 

Hybrid (H) grapes are crosses between European and American varieties. Most are resistant to mildew. Most hybrids have fruit resembling the European parent. 

Table Grapes 

Canadice (H) Seedless Small to medium size round fruit with red blushed skin. rich, vinous flavor of very good quality. Good for table, juice, jelly wine, and raisins. 

Concord (Eastern) (A) Seeded Large round fruit with thick black skin and flesh. Juicy and sweet with an outstanding foxy flavor. Ripens mid-summer. Good for table, excellent for juice and jelly. Best if grown away from extreme summer heat. RELIABLE. Will produce good fruit with just a few hours of sunlight. 

Concord Seedless (Eastern) (A) Seedless Similar to above, but seedless with smaller clusters, smaller berries, and a sweeter flavor. Ripens about 1 week earlier. 

Flame (E) Seedless Medium size fruit with red skin and firm, good quality flesh. Good fresh and for raisins. Ripens mid-summer. Best well away from coast. VERY POPULAR COMMERCIAL VARIETY

Interlaken (H) Seedless High quality green fruit resembling Thompson Seedless. Ripens mid-summer. 

Kyoho(Japanese) Seeded Very, very large grapes from Japan with seeds. Doesn’t appear to be susceptible to mildew. Scant information about this variety. 

Lakemont (H) Seedless Green fruit similar to Interlaken (actually a sibling). More productive than Interlaken, perhaps a bit lower quality. 

Suffolk Red  (H) Seedless This large bright red fruit is the largest among hybrid grapes. The flesh is crisp, meaty, non-foxy and juicy. Clusters are medium to large, long and loose. Ripens early. This variety is a taste test winner. 

Venus (H) Seedless Medium size black grape with strong foxy flavor. Tight bunch. Very productive, even in part sun. Excellent for table, good for wine. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

Wine Grapes 

Cabernet Sauvignon (E) Red Wine. Small black seedy fruit with characteristic flavor. For coast and inland. 

Chardonnay (E) White Wine. Small round fruit. Used for dry white wine. For coast and inland. 

Merlot (E) Red Wine. Medium size bluish black round fruit. Fairly productive. Makes a wine similar to, but more supple than, Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Zinfandel (E) Red Wine. Medium to large reddish to black fruit. Used for blending and as an intensely flavored, full bodied, varietal.