Chester Blackberry

Light Needs

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 to 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.