Black raspberries bloom in May and ripen in late June through early July. They generally fruit earlier than red raspberries, but there is very little difference among the ripening periods of black raspberry varieties.
Allen: Fruit size comparable to Jewel; large and attractive, growing on vigorous, productive plants. Flavor is mild, hardiness intermediate.
Bristol: Most widely grown black raspberry in Pennsylvania. High yielding and early, with medium-sized fruit of excellent flavor. Susceptible to anthracnose, but tolerant of powdery mildew.
Cumberland: Very difficult to distinguish from Bristol.
Jewel: A particularly vigorous productive plant with excellent cold-hardiness. Fruit is larger than that of Bristol. Fruit is more susceptible to Botrytis development after harvest.
Munger: A mid-season variety with firm, average-sized fruit. Resistant to many fungal diseases.