Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Unlike their wild relatives, cultivated blackberries, Rubus fruticosus, are more productive, less thorny and less likely to grow out of control. They can be trained to ramble over fences, arches and pergolas, and there are also more compact forms, which can be grown in containers.

For best results and the sweetest berries, grow blackberries in full sun in rich, well-drained soil. Prune annually and top-dress the soil with a mulch of well-rotted horse manure or garden compost, every autumn.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Fruitsyesyes
Pruneyesyes
Harvestyesyes

Rubus and wildlife

Rubus is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, has nectar/pollen rich flowers, has seeds for birds and makes a good wildlife hedge.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Rubus poisonous?

Rubus has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Rubus fruticosus
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