In This Guide
- What Is a Brix Score?
- Full Sweetness Comparison Chart
- 5th Place — Swift, Early Bird & W Tail
- 4th Place — Lark & Northern Extra Sweet
- 3rd Place — Incredible, Gold Crest & Sweet Nugget F1
- 2nd Place — Bodacious F1
- 1st Place — Myra Series F1 (Picnic F1)
- Avoid Cross Pollination
- Frequently Asked Questions
Growing sweetcorn in the UK is hugely rewarding — but not all varieties are created equal. If you want cobs that taste like they have been dipped in sugar, choosing the right variety makes all the difference. In this guide from Veggie Patch Ideas, we rank the top 5 sweetest sweetcorn varieties available to UK growers, from dependable early types to an extraordinary Japanese SH2 hybrid with a Brix score above 16.
🔬 What Is a Brix Score? Understanding Sweetcorn Sweetness
Sweetcorn sweetness is scientifically measured using a Brix score — a reading of the sugar content in the juice of the kernels. The higher the Brix number, the more sugar is present, and the sweeter the eating experience.
📊 Brix Sweetness Scale — Quick Reference
| Brix Score | Sweetness Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 | Mild | Traditional field corn sweetness |
| 8–11 | Sweet | Enjoyable fresh, good for cooking |
| 12–15 | Very Sweet | Noticeably sweet, great raw or grilled |
| 16+ | Ultra Sweet 🏆 | Fruit-like sweetness, exceptional raw |
For UK gardeners, the Brix score is particularly useful because our cooler climate can affect sugar development. Choosing a variety with naturally high sugar genetics is the most reliable way to guarantee sweet cobs even in a British summer.
🌽 Full Sweetcorn Sweetness Comparison Chart
Here is how all five ranked varieties compare side by side:
| Variety | Type | Brix Score | UK Friendly | Sweetness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift / Early Bird / W Tail | Standard Early | 8–11 | ✅ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Lark / Northern Extra Sweet | Tender Sweet | 10–12 | ✅ Very Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Incredible / Gold Crest / Sweet Nugget F1 | SH2 Super Sweet | 12–15 | ✅ Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bodacious F1 | SH2 Super Sweet | 14–16 | ✅ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Myra Series F1 (Picnic F1) 🏆 | Japanese SH2 | 16+ | ⚠ Needs Care | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🥉 5th Place — Swift, Early Bird & W Tail
Swift, Early Bird & W Tail
These reliable early-season varieties were specifically bred for the UK’s shorter, cooler summers. If you live in northern England, Scotland, or any region where the growing season is limited, these are your safest bet for a consistent harvest.
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| ✅ Reliable in poor weather | Bred to perform in cool, wet UK summers |
| ✅ Beginner friendly | Forgiving and low maintenance |
| ✅ Fast growing | Ready earlier than most varieties |
| ✅ Great for allotments | Proven track record across the UK |
Best for: Beginners, cooler climates, shorter growing seasons, and allotment growers wanting dependable crops.
4th Place — Lark & Northern Extra Sweet
Lark & Northern Extra Sweet
Tender sweet varieties like Lark and Northern Extra Sweet occupy the middle ground between traditional and super sweet sweetcorn. They offer noticeably improved flavour without the demanding growing requirements of the SH2 types.
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | High |
| UK Weather Tolerance | Excellent |
| Ease of Growing | Easy |
| Pollination Sensitivity | Low |
Best for: Gardeners who want noticeably sweeter corn without strict growing requirements.
3rd Place — Incredible, Gold Crest & Sweet Nugget F1
Incredible, Gold Crest & Sweet Nugget F1
Welcome to the SH2 category — also known as super sweet sweetcorn. These varieties carry a genetic trait that dramatically increases their sugar content, making them juicier, more tender, and significantly sweeter than standard or tender sweet types.
| Advantage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Higher sugar levels | Sweeter, more intense flavour |
| Better texture | More tender kernels |
| Premium taste | Comparable to gourmet sweetcorn |
| Longer sweetness retention | Stays sweeter after harvest |
Best for: Gardeners ready to step up to super sweet corn with consistently impressive results.
🥈 2nd Place — Bodacious F1
Bodacious F1
Bodacious F1 is consistently ranked among the best sweetcorn varieties for UK growers. With a Brix score of 14–16, it sits right at the upper edge of what most SH2 varieties can achieve — and crucially, it retains its sweetness significantly longer after picking than most comparable varieties.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Availability in UK | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| UK Growing Success | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Beginner Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Flavour Retention | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best for: UK gardeners who want the best balance of exceptional sweetness, reliability, and practicality.
🏆 1st Place — Myra Series F1 (Picnic F1)
Myra Series F1 (Picnic F1)
The Myra Series F1, also sold as Picnic F1, is the undisputed champion. This Japanese-bred SH2 hybrid produces cobs with a Brix score exceeding 16 — giving the kernels an almost fruit-like sweetness that has to be tasted to be believed.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Japanese breeding programme | Ultra-high sweetness genetics |
| SH2 super sweet gene | Maximum possible sugar content |
| Fruit-like kernel flavour | Unique, unforgettable eating experience |
| Rarer variety | Harder to source — but worth the effort |
The trade-off is that Myra F1 is highly sensitive to cross-pollination and must be grown in isolation. Managed correctly, it produces the sweetest cobs you will ever grow in a UK garden.
Best for: Experienced growers who want to push the absolute limits of sweetcorn sweetness.
⚠️ The Most Important Growing Tip: Avoid Cross Pollination
If you are growing any SH2 variety — particularly Bodacious F1 or Myra F1 — understanding cross-pollination is essential. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes UK sweetcorn growers make.
⚠ Do NOT Grow Different Sweetcorn Types Together
Sweetcorn is wind-pollinated. If pollen from a standard variety reaches the silks of your SH2 plants:
- Sweetness drops dramatically
- Flavour profile changes and becomes inferior
- The genetic advantages of the SH2 variety are lost
- Your crop will not grow true to type
How sweetcorn pollination works:
How to protect your super sweetcorn:
| Protection Method | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Grow SH2 varieties in complete isolation | Eliminates cross-pollination risk entirely |
| Use fine mesh netting | Physically blocks unwanted pollen |
| Space varieties 20–30m apart | Reduces wind-carried pollen significantly |
| Protect from pests | Rats and mice are attracted to developing cobs |
| Stagger sowing dates | Stops varieties tasselling at the same time |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sweetest sweetcorn variety you can grow in the UK?
The sweetest is the Myra Series F1 (Picnic F1), a Japanese-bred SH2 hybrid with a Brix score exceeding 16. It offers an almost fruit-like sweetness no other UK variety can match.
What does SH2 mean in sweetcorn?
SH2 stands for “shrunken 2” — a genetic mutation that causes kernels to accumulate far more sugar than standard sweetcorn. SH2 varieties are often called “super sweet” and typically score 12–16+ on the Brix scale.
What is the best sweetcorn for beginners in the UK?
For beginners, Swift, Early Bird, or W Tail are the safest choices. They are reliable, fast-growing, and perform well in cooler or shorter UK growing seasons without special care.
Can I grow Bodacious F1 sweetcorn in the UK?
Yes — Bodacious F1 grows very well in the UK and is widely available from UK seed suppliers. It is one of the most reliable SH2 varieties for British gardens and allotments, with excellent flavour retention after harvest.
Why does my sweetcorn taste starchy instead of sweet?
The most common reasons are picking too late (sugar converts to starch quickly after peak ripeness), cross-pollination from a less sweet variety, or simply growing a standard rather than SH2 super sweet type.
Can I grow super sweet SH2 sweetcorn near standard sweetcorn?
No. SH2 varieties must be isolated from all other sweetcorn types to prevent cross-pollination. Grow them at least 20–30 metres apart, or use netting to block pollen transfer.
🌱 The Veggie Patch Ideas Growers App
Plan your sweetcorn season, track planting dates, and get growing reminders — built specifically for UK gardeners.
Explore the App →Which Sweetcorn Should You Grow?
The answer depends on what you prioritise:
- New to sweetcorn? Start with Swift or Early Bird.
- Want sweeter corn without fuss? Try Lark or Northern Extra Sweet.
- Ready for super sweet? Incredible F1 or Gold Crest are excellent entry points.
- Want the best all-rounder? Bodacious F1 is the crowd favourite.
- Want the absolute sweetest cob possible? Myra Series F1 is in a league of its own.
Whatever variety you choose, growing your own sweetcorn and picking it minutes before eating is an experience no shop-bought cob can match. For the full breakdown, watch the complete video on YouTube →