European types. Have the typical wild Blackberry flavour, but can be rather too big a plant for most gardens. Some varieties are less vigorous and spine free. Others are very vigorous and spiny and will make a good defence against vandals.
North American types. Most have long black fruits, but are much more “tart” than the European types.
Treat them all in a similar manner to the Tayberry.
BLACKCURRANT
As these are easy to grow, and very prolific bushes, two plants should be enough for most families. Each plant needs about 1 square metre of ground, preferably in a sunny position. Blackcurrants need a long hard winter to synchronise their bud break in the Spring. This ensures even ripening of the fruit. In recent years, due to the mild winters, it has been found that the fruit ripens at different times on the bush. If this happens with your fruit, you may need to have several pickings of the ripe fruit.
Pests and diseases. While Mildew can be a problem, it can be reduced by choosing resistant varieties to grow, and keeping the plant open so that air can circulate freely. The variety “Ben Lomond” is prone to Mildew. Watch out for Gooseberry Sawfly Caterpillars, as they attack Blackcurrants as well as Gooseberries, given a chance. Spray as necessary to control them. Big Bud Mite, is a mite that lives in the dormant Buds, over the Winter. Once the leaves have fallen, the diseased buds are easy to spot as they are enlarged and round, rather than the normal cone-shaped buds. Pick them off and burn them.
Pruning is carried out after you have picked the fruit. All weak and crossing branches should be cut out. Thereafter, once the bush is full grown, cut out about one third of the older branches from the base, each year.

CRANBERRY
Another fruit that requires acidic soil. (See comments on Blueberry). The Cranberry is a dwarf, low growing shrub, rather like heather in appearance. As weeding can be a problem until they form a dense mat, I found that planting the young plants through porous ground cover fabric gave good results.
Pests and diseases.
See previous section on Blueberry.

GOOSEBERRY
This is a surprisingly neglected fruit, not often seen in shops. An easy, reliable and abundant crop suitable for all areas of  Britain, it can be grown in shady areas of ground. For the average family, one or two plants should be adequate. It really needs about a square metre of ground, as it can grow quite big. They are self-fertile.