The Secret of Perfect Raspberries

Why our selection relies on Russian, Latvian and Scottish genetics

Raspberries are a cornerstone of almost every garden. Yet many growers struggle – canes freeze over winter, dry out in summer, fruit falls apart, or plants are wiped out by phytophthora. When this happens, the fault usually lies not in your hands but in the genetics you brought into the garden.

In this article we explain why our raspberry selection focuses so strictly on breeding programmes from Russia, Latvia and Scotland, and why we remain cautious about common Western varieties and even the famous Polish ones. Our choices are backed by science and solid data.

In short: what matters is not only the variety, but the entire breeding school it comes from. Breeders in continental Russia solved different problems than those in humid Latvia or windy Scotland.

The Western and Polish school: raspberries for trucks and harvesters

To understand the difference, we have to look at what the market demands today.

Western Europe and the USA

Breeding here aims at the „supermarket raspberry“. Varieties are grown in large polytunnels, often in containers with controlled nutrition. The goal is an extremely firm fruit that survives a week in the fridge, does not crumble during transport and has a bright red colour. The price for this firmness is often the loss of deep raspberry aroma and a reduced ability of the plant to survive in ordinary, hard garden soil without constant care.

The Polish school

Poland is a raspberry powerhouse. Institutes such as the one in Brzezna (breeders like J. Danek or A. Orzeł) do outstanding work and their varieties are among the world's best. However, they are bred primarily for commercial production and machine harvesting. They require quality cultivation techniques, regular irrigation and intensive feeding. Planted in an ordinary garden where no rain falls for a month in summer, they often cannot show their full potential.

The Russian school: extremes, survival and the famous L1 gene

Russian raspberry breeding (notably the well-known VSTISP institute in Kokino) took a completely different path. Breeders such as I. V. Kazakov and V. V. Kichina did not breed raspberries for greenhouses, but for a harsh continental climate – for winters with bare frost and summers with extreme drought and heat.

The L1 gene is the crown jewel of Russian breeding. Professor Kichina was among the first in the world to successfully stabilise it in raspberries. It is the gene of large fruit size.

Varieties carrying this gene produce exceptionally large fruit (often weighing over 10 to 12 grams). Western varieties achieve size at the expense of flavour and tend to be watery, whereas Russian varieties with the L1 gene retain a dense, sweet and traditional dessert taste.

The Latvian school: masters of short summers and disease resistance

Latvia (especially the Institute of Horticulture in Dobele and breeders such as S. Strautiņa) tackles a different extreme. It has a very short growing season, long winters and exceptionally wet weather.

The fight against didymella. The biggest killer of raspberries in wet conditions is cane death (didymella and botrytis). While in the West this is managed with regular chemical sprays, Latvian breeders focused on the genetic resistance of the wood. Their varieties have a specific bark structure that prevents fungi from penetrating into the cane.

Speed and ripening. Latvian raspberries must manage to sprout, flower, fruit and above all ripen the wood perfectly before the arrival of early autumn frosts. For more northern regions this trait is extremely important.

The Scottish school (James Hutton Institute): the Western exception

Although we are fairly critical of Western varieties, there is one large and famous exception – Scotland. The James Hutton Institute (formerly known as SCRI) in Dundee is home to the legendary series of varieties carrying the „Glen“ prefix.

The Scottish climate is harsh, windy and wet. Breeders there (unlike the Dutch) did not breed raspberries for greenhouses, but for demanding field conditions. The „Glen“ series is famous worldwide for bringing complete thornlessness (the s gene) into gardens. These varieties are robust, with thick, smooth canes that do not snap in the wind. They are among the most reliable and tastiest summer raspberries in the world.

Why is this genetics ideal for us? Our climate is changing and we experience extremes – from spring frosts to summer droughts with temperatures above 35 °C. We do not need raspberries in our gardens that survive a truck ride to Spain. We need plants that survive our winters, do not dry out in summer and give us large, sweet, juicy fruit. That is exactly what Russian, Latvian and Scottish genetics offer.

The other side of the coin: what to watch out for with Russian genetics

To be honest, we must also mention the weaknesses. Russian varieties with the L1 gene are like sports cars – they deliver extreme performance but require a specific approach.

Hunger for nutrients. Producing fruit weighing 10 to 12 grams costs the plant an enormous amount of energy. If you plant a Russian raspberry with the L1 gene in poor soil and leave it without care, the fruit shrinks and the plant weakens. These varieties require rich feeding. Give them a proper „meal“ and they reward you with an exceptional harvest.

Phytophthora (root rot). This is the greatest Achilles heel of large-fruited Russian raspberries. They are sensitive to the fungus Phytophthora, which causes root rot. In heavy, clay soil where water stands after rain, the roots suffocate and the plant quickly dies. Russian raspberries cannot tolerate „wet feet“ and require permeable, light, airy soil.

The Scottish shield: why the Glen series wins in heavy soils

This is precisely where the genius of the Scottish institute comes into play. Scotland is known for heavy, wet soils and constant rain. The breeders in Dundee understood that phytophthora is devastating for raspberries, and so they deliberately bred genes for higher resistance to root rot into the „Glen“ series.

If your garden has heavier, clay soil that holds moisture longer, Russian varieties would struggle there, but Latvian and Scottish varieties (the Glen series) will thrive without the slightest problem. They are practically indestructible plants that forgive growing mistakes and do not demand the intensive feeding of the Russian giants.

Summary and recommendations for your gardens

When choosing raspberries from our range, consider your real conditions. The table below summarises which genetics suits where.

Location Main risk Recommended genetics
Northern and cold Severe winters, short summers, heavy rainfall Latvian (harshest areas) and Scottish
Mid-range Variable weather, wet years All three schools, by preference
Southern and lowland Extreme drought and sun scorch Russian (especially L1 gene varieties)

← Swipe the table sideways →

Quick guide by location

Northern and cold locations. The wood of Latvian and Scottish varieties ripens perfectly before winter, so the canes do not freeze, and their natural resistance to cane death from moisture saves a great deal of disappointment and spraying.

Mid-range locations. Here you can afford to grow everything. Russian varieties bring huge fruit, Latvian ones secure a harvest in wet years, and the Scottish Glen series provides a carefree, thornless harvest with excellent flavour.

Southern and lowland locations. The biggest enemy is drought and sun scorch. Here Russian varieties with the L1 gene dominate. Their deep root system copes with the lack of moisture and their robust foliage protects the large fruit from burning in the sun.

Raspberries are like a weed when they have the right genetics. Choose wisely, respect your location and forget compromises on flavour.

P.S. 1: By amending the soil (for example by mixing in a suitable substrate), Russian L1 varieties can also be grown in more demanding conditions. According to Russian sources, growing in raised beds is also fairly popular.

P.S. 2: Russian varieties are propagated by cuttings (grafts). New plants from root suckers do not carry the L1 gene – it is a chimeric gene found only in the surface tissue layer of the plant's above-ground part.

Choose raspberries for your location

Russian giants with the L1 gene, hardy Latvian canes and the thornless Scottish Glen series – our range offers varieties bred to survive your winters, droughts and heavier soil. Pick the genetics that rewards you with a sweet harvest.

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