Blackberry Plants
Blackberries are easy to grow in borders or containers and these heavy-cropping varieties are perfect for pies, crumbles and smoothies. They’ve got larger fruits and fewer thorns than their wild cousins, making them easy to pick and delicious to eat. Our bare root and potted blackberry plants are UK grown in natural conditions (outdoors - that’s why they’re so strong) by a family of growers with over a hundred years’ experience. That’s a lot of crumble…
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South Downs National Park
Meet John
110 years' expertise free with every plant
You simply can’t buy better fruit plants and here’s why. John grows them outdoors, just like his family has done since 1908, so they’re more than a match for the UK weather. John only has time for the top performing varieties, meaning that you can be assured of a successful (and blooming tasty) soft fruit crop.
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Blackberry FAQs
When is the best time to plant blackberry bushes in the UK?
Bare root blackberry plants need to be planted while they’re dormant, between November and March, allowing them to develop healthy root systems before they start putting on new foliage. Potted blackberry plants can be planted at any time of year providing the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
Where should I plant my blackberry bushes?
Blackberries can tolerate partial shade, but they fruit best in a sunny spot where they’ll get at least six hours of full sunlight per day. Choose a site with well drained soil (or a container with holes in the bottom) as they hate to be waterlogged. For more planting tips, check out our growers’ guide.
How far apart should blackberry plants be spaced?
Blackberries tend to spread quite widely once they’re established, so they should be planted at least 1.5-2m apart. If you’re aiming for a blackberry hedge however, plant them closer together, leaving the plant’s mature spreading distance between them.
What type of soil do blackberries prefer?
The best soil for blackberry plants is fertile, well drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. They’re fine in most ordinary garden soils, but if yours is a bit on the heavy or dry side, you can mix in compost or well rotted manure to improve it.
How do I support blackberry plants?
Blackberries will sprawl and get congested if they don’t have support. It’s best to grow them against a fence or wall, tied in to trellises or wires at 60cm and 120cm high.
How often should I water blackberry plants?
Water your blackberries well when they’re newly planted and after that, during dry or hot weather. Once a week is fine, and you can usually stop watering during autumn and winter.
What is the best way to fertilise blackberries?
Your blackberries will be more productive if you feed them a general purpose fertiliser in early spring when the new growth appears and again in early summer. They’ll benefit from a mulch every spring too, to add nutrients and keep moisture in the soil.
How do I prune blackberry bushes?
Prune your blackberry plants in late winter or early spring, while they’re dormant. Trim out any dead, diseased or damaged stems, aiming to create a good open structure to encourage air circulation and prevent moulds. After the fruit has finished, you should cut the old fruiting canes down to the ground. You can find out more about pruning in our growers’ guide.
When are blackberries ready to harvest?
Depending on which variety you’re growing, you’ll get a blackberry crop between late July and September. They’re ready to pick when they’re fully black, plump and come away from the plant easily.
Can blackberries be grown in containers?
Blackberries are good plants for container growing, especially if you choose a dwarf or compact variety. Use a pot that’s at least 60cm wide and deep, fill with good quality compost and make sure you have some support in place as the plant grows.
How long do blackberry plants live?
A blackberry plant will typically stay productive for 10-15 years. You can make them last even longer by keeping them healthy and well pruned.
