Blackberry

Profile

Family

Rosaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

3 m

Spread

3 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

30 years

First yield

after 2 years

Hardiness

zone 5–9

Shade tolerance

full shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

very dry – very wet

pH

4.5 – 8

Synonyms

Brombeeren

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit can be consumed fresh or cooked, with the best varieties offering delicious flavors available for harvest from late July to November. The fruits are versatile and can be turned into syrups, jams, and other preserves. Eating the fruit before it is fully ripe and tender may cause stomach upset. The root is suitable for cooking, but it should be of moderate age and requires extensive cooking. Dried leaves are ideal for making tea, especially when they are young. These leaves are commonly included in herbal tea mixtures. Young shoots are edible when raw, typically harvested in spring, peeled, and added to salads.

Medicinal: The plant's root bark and leaves have strong astringent, cleansing, diuretic, and tonic properties, aiding in wound healing. They effectively treat dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and cystitis. The root is notably astringent. The leaves can be used externally as a gargle to alleviate sore throats, mouth ulcers, and gingivitis. Additionally, a leaf infusion serves as a suitable gargle for thrush and a general mouthwash.

Other uses: A dye ranging from violet to dull blue is obtained from the fruit, while fibers from the stem are utilized for twine production. The plants propagate via seeds dispersed by birds and mammals, typically thriving in areas that have been burned, deforested, or left unused. Acting as crucial pioneer species, they prepare the ground for forest tree growth. These trees commonly coexist with blackberries, benefiting from the protective barrier of the latter's prickly stems against rabbits.

Growing

Thrives in well-drained, loamy soil, the plant grows well in acidic and calcareous soils, tolerating poor soil conditions. Mature plants are drought-resistant and can withstand full sun or partial shade, although fruit production is lower in shaded areas. They can also grow in deep shade or against a north-facing wall, with fruits ripening later. Tolerant of strong winds. Hardy to at least -18°C, R. fruticosus comprises several hundred slightly different species, forming dense thickets that offer cover for birds. It regenerates easily after pruning and attracts bees and butterflies. Biennial stems are produced by the plant, with new stems emerging each year from the perennial rootstock. Fruit-bearing occurs in the second year before the stems die. Susceptibility to the honey fungus is a common issue among plants of this genus.

Propagation

Seeds need cold treatment before planting in early autumn. Stored seeds should be stratified at around 3°C for one month and sown early. Transplant seedlings when big enough, then continue growing in a cold environment. Plant in final spot in late spring the next year. Take tip cuttings from semi-mature wood in July/August. Perform tip layering in July and plant in autumn. Divide in spring or before leaf fall in autumn.

Notable

Special features: Drought-resistant; It rapidly spreads across vast and disrupted areas with tendrils that can grow up to a meter long, which then re-root and produce runners; Shields young trees from wildlife harm; The shoots perish after fruiting, while the roots have a lifespan of more than 100 years; Numerous varieties and popular species exist, some without thorns.

Origin & habitat

Europe, from the Mediterranean to Macaronesia.

Sunny mountain meadows, raised bogs, and pine forests on acidic soils.

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