Blackberry.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

6 to 10 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist while the fruit is developing to ensure a good crop. You should train the canes along a trellis to keep them tidy and make picking easier. Watch for yellowing leaves, which can indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiencies.

Watering

Water deeply once a week, increasing frequency during hot, dry spells.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.

Pruning

Cut back canes that have already fruited to the ground in late autumn.

Repotting

These are best grown in the ground, but if container grown, move to a larger pot every few years.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

5.5 to 7.0

Temperature

-20 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is not toxic, but the sharp thorns can cause significant skin abrasions.

Children

The sharp thorns pose a significant risk of injury to small children, so keep them away from dense thickets.

Contact allergens

The stiff, hooked prickles on the stems can cause mechanical skin irritation or scratches.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not considered a significant airborne allergen.

Edibility

Always ensure you are harvesting from a clean area away from roadsides or chemical sprays.

How to identify it

• Thorny, arching woody canes
• Compound leaves with five leaflets
• White or pink five petaled flowers
• Aggregate fruit turning black when ripe

Height

1 to 3m

Spread

1.5 to 4m

Leaves

dark green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

white, pale pink, 2 to 4cm

Fruit

black, Late summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Raspberry BeetleCommon
• RustCommon
• Botrytis BlightUncommon
• Powdery MildewUncommon
• Raspberry Cane BlightUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Spider MitesUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, division, layering

When to plant

spring, autumn

Keep the area around the base clear of aggressive grasses to reduce competition for water and nutrients.

Grows well with

• Apple · They share similar soil requirements and benefit from the same mulching practices.
• Garlic · Planting garlic nearby may help deter certain pests.

Similar species

• Raspberry · They are closely related and share similar growth habits and care needs.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Rubus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Asia.

Conservation

This species is considered invasive in many parts of the world outside its native range.

It thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges where it can quickly colonize open ground.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant, provides cover for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

culinary fruit, wildlife habitat, hedgerow barrier

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to prune my blackberries?

Yes, pruning out the old canes that have already fruited helps keep the plant healthy and productive.

Why are my berries sour?

Berries need plenty of sun and consistent moisture to develop their full sugar content.

Where the name comes from

The name Rubus comes from the Latin word for red, while fruticosus means shrubby or bushy.

Good to know

• Blackberries have been used for thousands of years as both food and medicine.
• The juice of the fruit has been used as a natural dye.
• Blackberry canes typically live for two years, producing leaves the first year and fruit the second.