Kendra Workman, Fruit Crop Summer Research Assistant, OMAFA; Erica Pate, Fruit Crop Specialist, OMAFA
Published September 2025
In recent years, several new raspberry varieties have been introduced that may be of interest to Ontario berry growers. Some, like AAC Eden, are already familiar and being cultivated in the province. Others- such as Cornell AgriTech’s “Crimson series” of raspberry varieties- are not yet grown in Ontario but offer promising traits that could benefit local production.
Crimson Night
Crimson Night is a relatively new primocane-fruiting raspberry variety from the Cornell AgriTech berry breeding program. Its berries are medium to large with a conic shape, very dark red, firm, and very sweet. Crimson night is a fall-bearing, mid-late season variety. The canes of this variety are described as vigorous and productive, thick and sturdy. Some other defining characteristics of Crimson Night are its resistance to powdery mildew, susceptibility to phytophthora root rot, and its excellent frozen quality.
Crimson Blush
Crimson blush is another new addition to Cornell AgriTech’s “Crimson series”. It is a primocane-fruiting raspberry variety that develops from blush pink into a bright red berry that is large, sweet, and firm. Crimson Blush has a late harvest season beginning in early September under high tunnels can be a good option for double cropping. It can be grown under tunnels to further extend the fall season; however, it was originally bred for a traditional open field system. Crimson Blush is known to have vigorous cane production with canes reaching 2.4 m tall.
Crimson Beauty
Along with Crimson Blush, Crimson Beauty is a recent addition to the “Crimson series” produced from the Cornell AgriTech berry breeding program. It produces large, glossy, bright red berries with a strong flavour and good firmness. This is a primocane-fruiting variety, and the harvest season under high tunnels begins in late July to early August in New York. Crimson Beauty was bred specifically for growing in high tunnels and its canes (approximately 1.5 m tall) grow upright, requiring less trellising than taller varieties, and making this variety easy to pick.
Crimson Treasure
Crimson Treasure is a red raspberry variety developed at the Cornell AgriTech berry breeding program. This variety produces large, conic, firm, bright red berries with good flavour and shelf life. Crimson Treasure is a high yielding (13-15 t/ha) primocane-fruiting variety with a long harvest period starting in early August when grown under high tunnels in New York. It has upright, 1.5m tall, self-supporting canes that are highly branched and fruit is displayed at the top of canes for easy harvest. Crimson Treasure has strong resistance to powdery mildew and good resistance to Phytophthora root rot.
Double Gold
Double Gold is a variety that was also developed at the Cornell AgriTech berry breeding program. It produces distinctive conic, medium sized, peach-pink berries that are relatively soft, delicate, and flavourful. Double Gold can produce two crops per season, with primocanes fruiting from September through mid-October, and floricanes fruiting from late June through mid-July. Double Gold is high yielding, has vigorous and heavy cane production and is tolerant to phytophthora root rot. Double Gold is available from Strawberry Tyme and Lareault.
Eden
AAC Eden was developed in Nova Scotia at AAFC-AAC Kentville. The berries are silky rather than shiny, light red, large, and firm. AAC Eden is a summer-fruiting, mid season variety, with a peak harvest date at the end of July in Nova Scotia. Eden canes are spineless. This variety is consistently high yielding and produces berries that are easily picked. AAC Eden is available at Lareault and Keddy Nursery.
Double Gold and Eden are available from Canadian nurseries for Ontario growers.
Crimson Beauty and Crimson Blush are currently being trialed by the Berry Growers of Ontario, and there is potential in pursuing a propagation agreement. In Canada, the Ontario Berry propagation program does all the licensing for Cornell varieties. If interested in growing these new varieties, growers should speak to their Canadian nursery who can then contact Bernie Solymar at the Berry Growers of Ontario (info@ontarioberries.com) to discuss interest in licensing agreements.