North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Martha L. Davis" <martha_davis@earthlink.net>]

In Illinois my parents brought me a Marion berry starts. I'm from Oregon 
originally and I don't really think much of the flavor of the hardier 
thornless upright blackberries, but wanted Marion, Boysen or Logan.  The 
problem with Marion (and I suspect the rest of them) is that the Chicago area 
doesn't get consistent snow cover.  The roots are hardy, but since they bear 
on second year canes it is a rare year that you get fruit.  However you get 
the full effect of a thorny tangle of canes.  Under those conditions I'd 
rather have a high quality mulberry.

Now that i am someplace slightly warmer I am trying Black Diamond which is 
supposed to have the Marion flavor with a bit more hardiness.

Martha