Age: 1 yr
Size: 18-24"
Height at maturity: Typically reaches 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 meters) as a sprawling, arching shrub. Canes may grow taller, up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), in optimal conditions, often forming dense thickets.
Diameter: Individual canes are slender, with diameters less than 1 inch (2.5 cm). The overall spread of a thicket can be 6–10 feet (1.8–3 meters) wide or more due to its suckering habit.
Crown shape: Develops an arching, mounded, or sprawling form with prickly, biennial canes. First-year canes (primocanes) are upright and vegetative, while second-year canes (floricanes) produce fruit and arch downward, creating a tangled, irregular structure.
Benefits: Produces sweet, juicy blackberries (ripening in mid to late summer) that are edible for humans (used in jams, pies, or fresh eating) and highly attractive to wildlife, including birds (e.g., thrushes, cardinals) and mammals (e.g., deer, bears). Offers spring interest with white flowers (May–June) that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Provides dense cover for small wildlife and supports erosion control due to its spreading root system. Tolerates a range of conditions, including disturbed soils, making it suitable for reclamation or naturalized areas. Low maintenance but requires pruning to manage cane growth and prevent over-spreading; may be susceptible to pests like cane borers or diseases like anthracnose.
Best soil type: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5–7.0). Thrives in loamy or sandy soils with moderate fertility. Adapts to clay or rocky soils but performs best with consistent moisture and good drainage. Grows well in full sun to partial shade, with full sun promoting optimal fruit production.