- 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:
- 1001497-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.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

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
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.