The North Carolina State University caneberry breeding program is excited to introduce ‘Ervin’, a new thornless floricane-fruiting blackberry developed for growers and consumers who value exceptional flavor, consistency, and adaptability across the southeastern United States. 'Ervin' was trialed as NC 740.
NC 740 is named 'Ervin' in honor of Ervin Lineberger, a pioneering North Carolina grower who played a critical role in advancing the regional blackberry industry, ‘Ervin’ reflects both innovation and gratitude to the farming community that helped make modern blackberry production in the southeastern region of the US possible.
Why grow 'Ervin'?
Consumer demand for premium-tasting fruit continues to grow, and blackberry flavor is increasingly becoming a key market attribute. ‘Ervin’ was selected with flavor in mind, prioritizing eating quality first, while maintaining the agronomic traits growers need for commercial success.
Key Attributes
Outstanding flavor — rich, sweet, and balanced with low acidity
High soluble solids (SSC) — contributes to excellent eating quality
Firm berries with good postharvest life — suitable for fresh-market shipping
Attractive glossy black fruit — visually appealing for retail markets
Plant Performance in the Field
‘Ervin’ performs comparably to the widely grown cultivar ‘Von’ in terms of plant vigor and disease resistance. While its yields are best described as moderate rather than high, this is largely offset by its superior fruit quality and strong market appeal.
Key Highlights ‘Ervin’ is an excellent fit for:
- Thornless canes — easier and safer to manage for labor crews
- Floricane-fruiting type — compatible with existing southeastern production systems
- Mid-season harvest window — slightly earlier than ‘Von’, helping growers capture market opportunities
- Strong adaptation to North Carolina and the broader Southeast
- Fresh-market growers targeting premium or branded fruit
- Farms selling through farmers markets, CSAs, and U-pick operations
- Growers looking to diversify beyond standard mid season cultivars
- Producers interested in mid-season harvest windows with strong consumer appeal.
Breeder Contact:
Gina Fernandez
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Gina_Fernandez@ncsu.edu
919-513-7416
Licensing Contact:
Rob Whitehead
Office of Research Commercialization
rewhiteh@ncsu.edu
Clean Plant Contact:
Christie Almeyda
919-515-7250
cvalmeyd@ncsu.edu
Intellectual Property Status:
Rob Whitehead
Office of Research Commercialization
rewhiteh@ncsu.edu
