Items 1 to 14 of 14 total
Items 1 to 14 of 14 total
Blackberry Bushes
Uses:
- Containers & Raised Beds
- Trellis
- Edible Gardens
Features:
- Easy to Grow
- Attracts Pollinators
- Sweet Attractive Berries
- Large Crops
Sunlight:
- Full Sun
- 6+ Hours of Direct Sun
Growing Zones:
- 4-9
- What is My Zone?
Blackberries, also known as Rubus fruticosus, are easy to grow and produce large crops of delicious fruit at maturity. Blackberries are categorized by their growth habits, which include trailing, semi-trailing, and erect, and their fruiting periods. Floricane-fruiting blackberries produce fruit on the previous year's canes in the summer. Primocane-fruiting types fruit on the current year's canes from late summer to fall and the following spring. Grow both types to maximize your harvest! We even offer dwarf and thornless types to make picking and growing a snap.
About Blackberry Bushes
Genus
Rubus
Species
500+
Family
Rosaceae
Common Names:
Bramble Berries
Native To:
North America
Plant Type:
Edible Plants
Foliage Type:
Evergreen
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
3 - 10
Flower Color:
Pink, White
Flower Bloom Time:
Spring, Summer
Growth Habit:
Arching, Erect, Prostrate
Attracts:
Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
Tolerates:
Drought
Resists:
Deer, Insect Pests
Where To Plant Blackberry Bushes In The Garden
Blackberry bushes are long-lived brambles that deliver a dependable crop of luscious fruit in summer or fall. Their perennial root systems ensure they return year after year, rarely requiring complicated care. Grown across a range of climates, they reward even small gardens with abundant harvests. The berries burst with natural sweetness for pies, jams, and fresh treats.
In outdoor spaces, blackberries can be trained along fence lines or rustic trellises, offering a seasonal supply of berries without consuming much ground area. Gardeners sometimes use them to create a living screen, spacing the plants in rows that also serve as a small orchard-like setting. When selecting erect types, a narrow bed suffices, while trailing forms fit well in open corners with sturdy wire supports. Many folks tuck them into sunny spots near vegetable plots for easy picking while tending their other crops.
Blackberry Bushes Care
Plant these cane-forming perennials in soil with moderate drainage, maintaining a pH close to 6.0 or 6.5. Situate them 3-5 feet apart in at least six hours of direct sun each day. Provide weekly watering, generally about an inch, especially once fruiting begins, and try to keep the foliage as dry as possible to deter fungal issues. In early spring, sprinkle a balanced fertilizer or work compost into the soil for healthy growth. Avoid soggy ground by using raised beds or loose, amended soil, as blackberries dislike waterlogged roots.
After your main crop is gathered, remove old fruited canes to ground level and tie up the fresh stems, which will yield berries the following year. Harvest the berries when they darken to a deep, matte black and separate easily from the plant, then store them in the fridge or freezer for short-term keeping. For regions with cold winters, place mulch over the root zone to buffer against severe chills, and consider draping a cover over the canes if the thermometer dips below about 10°F. Renew mulch or compost each fall to replenish the soil and prepare the plants for the next growing season.
Learn More About Blackberry Bushes
Growing Blackberry Bushes in Pots
For those leaning toward container gardening, opt for a pot at least 16 inches across and 12 inches deep, filled with a rich, draining mix. Choose a more compact variety or plan on staking and pruning to manage spreading canes, watering more often since potted plants dry out faster. Feed them sparingly with a balanced formula or top-dress with compost in spring and midseason. In colder climates, temporarily move the container to a garage or sheltered nook, adding a bit of insulation if extreme lows threaten the plant’s roots.
