Top 20 Blackberry Varieties to Grow: Tips and Advice for a Successful Harvest

Blackberries are a favorite among gardeners and fruit lovers due to their rich flavor and ease of cultivation. Whether you’re growing blackberries for fresh eating, jam-making, or baking, selecting the right variety is essential for a fruitful harvest. This guide will introduce the top 20 blackberry varieties to grow, along with practical tips for ensuring a healthy and abundant crop.

1. Navaho

Navaho blackberries are known for their sweet flavor, thornless canes, and upright growth habit. They’re ideal for smaller spaces or backyard gardens.

Tip: Navaho blackberries ripen later in the season and benefit from consistent watering, especially during fruiting.

2. Ouachita

Ouachita is a thornless variety with large, sweet berries. It produces high yields and is resistant to many common blackberry diseases.

Tip: Prune Ouachita canes after harvesting to encourage new growth and maintain a manageable plant size.

3. Triple Crown

Triple Crown blackberries are famous for their vigorous growth, high yields, and sweet, juicy berries.

Tip: Support Triple Crown canes with a trellis, as their long, trailing growth can make them difficult to manage without support.

4. Chester

Chester is a thornless, late-ripening variety that produces large, firm berries. It’s known for its high disease resistance and winter hardiness.

Tip: Chester blackberries need regular watering to prevent the berries from becoming too firm or small.

5. Arapaho

Arapaho is one of the earliest-ripening thornless blackberries, with a sweet, mild flavor and a compact growth habit.

Tip: Arapaho blackberries benefit from regular pruning to improve airflow and reduce disease risks.

6. Kiowa

Kiowa blackberries produce some of the largest berries of any variety. They have a strong, sweet-tart flavor and grow on thorny canes.

Tip: Kiowa plants require ample space due to their large growth and should be trellised for support.

7. Prime-Ark Freedom

This variety is unique because it’s a primocane-bearing blackberry, meaning it produces fruit on both first-year and second-year canes.

Tip: Prime-Ark Freedom blackberries produce two harvests—one in mid-summer and another in early fall. Provide consistent water for the best yields.

8. Apache

Apache blackberries are thornless, with large, firm berries and a sweet flavor. They are easy to grow and highly productive.

Tip: Apache blackberries thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

9. Boysenberry

Boysenberries are a cross between blackberries and several other berry types, known for their unique, tangy-sweet flavor.

Tip: Boysenberries require a trellis for support and benefit from organic mulch to retain soil moisture.

10. Marionberry

Marionberries, often referred to as the “cabernet of blackberries,” are prized for their complex, rich flavor. They’re ideal for pies and preserves.

Tip: Marionberries are trailing blackberries that need support, so trellis them to keep the canes off the ground.

11. Black Satin

Black Satin is a thornless variety that produces large, firm, and sweet berries. It grows vigorously and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.

Tip: Prune Black Satin canes to maintain plant shape and improve berry size and quality.

12. Tayberry

A cross between blackberry and raspberry, Tayberries have a sweet, tangy flavor and grow on thorny canes.

Tip: Tayberries benefit from light pruning and regular feeding with organic compost to boost fruit production.

13. Loganberry

Loganberries are another hybrid, combining blackberry and raspberry traits. They have a tart-sweet flavor and are excellent for jams and jellies.

Tip: Provide Loganberries with plenty of space and support, as their canes can grow vigorously.

14. Columbia Star

Columbia Star is a newer thornless variety with large, sweet berries. It’s known for its high yields and excellent flavor.

Tip: This variety does well in a wide range of climates but thrives in full sun with consistent watering during dry periods.

15. Natchez

Natchez is an early-ripening thornless variety with large, sweet berries. It’s a popular choice for fresh eating and freezing.

Tip: Natchez blackberries benefit from trellising to support their heavy fruit load and prevent the canes from bending under the weight.

16. Loch Ness

Loch Ness blackberries are known for their high yields and firm, juicy berries. They’re a thornless variety that’s great for fresh eating and freezing.

Tip: Ensure Loch Ness blackberries are planted in well-drained soil and prune canes in early spring for optimal fruiting.

17. Prime-Ark 45

This primocane-bearing variety produces fruit on first-year canes, offering an extended harvest season.

Tip: Prime-Ark 45 blackberries can produce two crops per year, so prune old canes after the first harvest to encourage new growth for the second.

18. Silvan

Silvan blackberries are an early-ripening, thorny variety with high yields and a sweet-tart flavor.

Tip: Silvan benefits from regular thinning and pruning to control its vigorous growth and improve berry size.

19. Obsidian

Obsidian blackberries are an early-ripening variety with firm, sweet-tart berries. They grow on thorny canes and are ideal for fresh eating and freezing.

Tip: Obsidian plants are more tolerant of colder climates but still require full sun for the best fruit production.

20. Himalayan Giant

Known for its large, sweet berries, Himalayan Giant is a highly productive variety with vigorous, thorny canes.

Tip: Prune regularly to control growth and prevent the plant from becoming too unruly. Provide ample space and trellising for support.

Tips for Growing Blackberries Successfully

1. Choose the right site: Blackberries need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Avoid planting in areas prone to standing water or heavy clay soil.
2. Support is key: Many blackberry varieties benefit from trellising or support systems to keep the canes upright and off the ground, which helps prevent disease and makes harvesting easier.
3. Prune regularly: Pruning is essential to keep blackberries healthy. Remove old canes after they fruit to encourage new growth and maintain good airflow within the plant.
4. Water consistently: Blackberries need regular, deep watering, especially during fruiting. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
5. Fertilize annually: Feed your blackberries in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and fruit production.
6. Watch for pests: Common pests like aphids, spider mites, and cane borers can affect blackberries. Keep an eye on your plants and treat as needed with organic or chemical controls.
7. Control disease: Prevent diseases like anthracnose and rust by ensuring good air circulation around your plants and using disease-resistant varieties where possible.

Common Questions and Answers

Q1: How long does it take for blackberry plants to produce fruit?
Blackberry plants typically begin producing fruit in their second year after planting.

Q2: What is the best time to plant blackberries?
The best time to plant blackberries is in early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant.

Q3: How often should I water blackberries?
Blackberries should be watered deeply about once a week, more often in hot or dry weather, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Q4: Can blackberries be grown in containers?
Yes, thornless dwarf blackberry varieties can be grown in large containers, making them ideal for patios or small gardens.

Q5: How do I prevent blackberry plants from spreading too much?
Blackberries can spread aggressively through suckers. Regularly prune new shoots and consider planting them in raised beds or containers to control their spread.