- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 4 - 6 Feet
- Mature Spread 4 - 6 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 8
Chester Blackberry, Chester Trailing Thornless Blackberry, or Rubus fruticosus ‘Chester’, is a self-fruitful, thornless, perennial shrub with thick knots of pink-hued flowers which produce large volumes of deep purple to black berries in mid to late summer. The Blackberries produced on the Chester are firm, but sweet and not tart. They ripen in mid to late July. Chester Blackberry is semi-erect and grows best supported by stakes or trellises.
Chester Blackberries do not require pruning until after the first growing season is complete. It is important to note that while Chesters are perennial, the primocanes are biennial, producing fruit only on the lateral shoot on 2 to 3 year-old canes, called floricanes. In the late winter, trim away the floricanes and all but four or five of the hardiest primocanes. Chesters yield between 2 to 4 quarts of berries per vine.
Chester Blackberry Bush Care
Chester Blackberries should be planted in the spring in areas with full sun that are protected from harsh winds and elements. They can tolerate some mild shade, but will be more fruitful with maximum sunlight. Space your Chesters from 36 to 60 inches apart at planting. These blackberries thrive best in rich, organic, slightly-acidic soil that is consistently moist and has good drainage. Blackberries do not tolerate standing water. They are relatively disease free and resistant to cane blight. However, they are susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, raspberry beetles and gall mites.
Growing Chester Blackberries
Chester Blackberries reach maturity at a height of 4 to 6 feet tall with an equal spread. They are easy to grow and will produce berries only one year after planting. They are self-pollinating, but if you’d like to increase the size of your crop, plant some pollinating pairs.
Growing Chester Blackberries in Containers
If you have limited space, Chester Blackberries can be grown in large pots or containers with good drainage. When planting in containers, set the soil 3 to 4 inches below the rim of the container to prevent water overflow. Blackberries in containers will need more water. Re-pot your Chesters every 2 to 3 years to prevent the roots from becoming too compact. Chester Blackberry is commonly used to make blackberry wine, jams, and jellies.
Watering Chester Blackberry Bushes
Chester Blackberries should be watered whenever the soil is dry to the touch, about an inch of water per week during the growing season. At planting, they need additional water until the root system is well-established, about 2 gallons per plant each day. Water only in the cool hours of the morning or evening. Some gardeners prefer to mulch the base of their Chesters to help retain moisture.
Feeding Chester Blackberry Bushes
Fertilize your Chester Blackberries in early spring, midway through the growing season, and after the last hard frost. Use slow-release fertilizers, and blend them well into the soil. This will help the plant retain energy and produce more berries.
Chester Blackberry Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Edible Plants |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 4 - 6 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 4 - 6 Feet |
| Spacing: 4 - 6 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Pink |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Disease |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Birds, Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Chester Blackberry |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: RUBUS `CHESTER` |
- SKU:
- 1231001497-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations