May be invasive in some regions. Click to learn more →

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus

shrub☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 5a – Zone 10b

A vigorous thorny shrub producing delicious black berries in summer, highly productive and often naturalized in disturbed areas. Excellent for food production, wildlife habitat, and erosion control in permaculture systems.

Overview

Form: Spreading
Growth Rate: fast
Size: 3–8′ tall × 4–10′ wide
Dormancy: deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

moderate

Zone 5aZone 10b

1471013

ColderWarmer

Seasonality

Bloom Season

Harvest Season

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Shrub

Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Europe, western Asia, and North Africa

Function & Care

biomass/mulchedibleerosion controlhedgerowmedicinalpollinator nectarywildlife benefit

Edible Parts

fruitleaf

Establishment & Care

Establishment: easy
Maintenance: high
Years to Bearing: 2 years
Propagation: seed, cutting, layering, sucker, root cutting

Companion Planting

Plants well with

woodland strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Woodland strawberry serves as a ground cover under blackberry canes, suppressing weeds and improving moisture retention.