Blackberry - Thornless - Chester

Code: 60_plant
Fruit Description: The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. It turns from green to red to black when ripe. Each fruit is about 1 - 2 cm long. Fruit is aromatic when ripe.
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 4 metres high by 4 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Uses: Our favourite berry! Eat these fresh or stewed, in pies and crumbles, with cream or ice-cream. Make superb jam and jelly, ice-cream, wine and liqueur. The flowers produce a lot of nectar and can result in lovely honey.
Medicinal Uses: Blackberries are high in antioxidants, dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, and the essential mineral, manganese.
Flowers : The flowers are produced in late spring and early summer. Each flower is about 2?3 cm in diameter with five white or pale pink petals.
Growing Conditions: Blackberries are perennial plants which typically bear biennial stems ("canes") from the perennial root system. In its first year, a new stem, the primocane, grows vigorously to its full length of 3 - 5 m, arching or trailing along the ground; it does not produce any flowers. In its second year, the cane becomes a floricane. The stem does not grow longer, but produces flowers and subsequently fruit. Prune the plant each year to encourage new canes to grow; these will bear next year's fruit. A Trellis, fence or wire is needed to support the plants. Mulch conserves moisture and keeps plants in a healthy growing condition. Blackberries are vigorous and tolerate poor soil. The Thornless variety does not have a suckering habit.
Pollination Requirements: Self-Pollinating.
Harvest Time: Late Summer to early Autumn.
Plant Relatives: Loganberry, Raspberry, Boysenberry, Youngberry.
Plant Origin: Northern hemisphere and South America
Plant Family: Rosaceae