Blackberries is a delicious and versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from fresh off the vine to baked into pies and cakes. With their unique combination of sweet and tart flavors, blackberries have become a beloved fruit among many. However, not all blackberry varieties are created equal. Some are sweeter, larger, or have a longer harvesting season than others. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best blackberry varieties and why they stand out in the world of blackberries.

1. Thornless Blackberries

For those who have ever picked blackberries, you know that their thorns can be quite a nuisance. That’s why the introduction of thornless blackberries has been a game-changer for blackberry enthusiasts. These varieties still provide the same juicy and flavorful berries but without the hassle of prickly thorns. They are also easier to harvest, making them a popular choice among gardeners.

Top Best Thornless Blackberries Varieties

Ouachita

Ouachita is a top-selling, award-winning blackberry known for its sweet flavor. It is a firm berry that maintains its quality well after picking, making it an excellent choice for both market growers and home gardeners. Ouachita is also highly productive and offers good disease resistance. Its ripe berries are both sweet and delicious. This variety grows best in zones 6-8 and is thornless.

Ponca

Ponca, a recent release from the University of Arkansas, is the sweetest of all blackberry varieties. Even when picked before full maturity, Ponca remains sweet, unlike many blackberries that turn sour when under ripe. This sweetness persists even in rainy conditions. Ponca combines high sweetness with strong disease resistance, high yield potential, and excellent plant health. Its unique cane architecture, with reduced leaf internode length, may offer benefits in cane tipping management. Ponca’s sweet, fruity, and aromatic flavor makes it a standout. It grows best in zones 6-9 and is thornless.

Prime-Ark Freedom

Prime-Ark Freedom is highly regarded among blackberry varieties for two key reasons. First, it is a primocane-bearing blackberry, which means it produces fruit on both the floricanes (second-year canes) and the primocanes (first-year canes). This allows for harvests at two different times during the growing season: early in the season (around early July in my area) on the floricanes, and late in the season (October in zone 6b) on the primocanes. This extended harvest period provides a longer season of fresh blackberries.

Second, Prime-Ark Freedom is thornless, combining the benefits of being both thornless and primocane-bearing. While its flavor is not as exceptional as Ouachita or Ponca, it is still a quality berry with good flavor. It thrives in zones 6-8.

Triple Crown

Triple Crown is renowned as one of the best thornless blackberry varieties. It is celebrated for its large, sweet berries with a robust flavor. The plant is highly productive and offers excellent disease resistance. Triple Crown berries have a firm texture that makes them suitable for both fresh eating and processing. This variety is known for its extended harvesting period, typically producing fruit from mid to late summer. It thrives in zones 6-9.

Apache

Apache is another top choice for thornless blackberries. It is valued for its high yield and sweet, flavorful berries. The plant exhibits good disease resistance and produces large, firm fruit. Apache is noted for its impressive productivity and consistent performance in various conditions. It also offers an extended harvest season, contributing to its popularity among gardeners and growers. Apache grows well in zones 6-9.

These thornless blackberry varieties are favored for their ease of care, productivity, and high-quality fruit, making them excellent choices for both home gardeners and commercial growers.

2. ‘Marion’ Blackberries

If you are a fan of large, sweet blackberries, then ‘Marion’ is the variety for you. This cultivar was developed in Oregon and has become a top choice for commercial growers due to its large berry size and high sugar content. The berries are also more resistant to disease and have a longer harvesting season compared to other varieties.

3. ‘Chester’ Blackberries

One of the most distinctive traits of ‘Chester’ blackberries is their unique flavor. These berries have a rich, almost wine-like taste that sets them apart from other varieties. They are also larger and easier to pick than most blackberries and have a longer shelf life, making them a great choice for farmers’ markets or home gardens.

4. Everbearing Blackberries

Most blackberry varieties have a specific harvest time, which can make it challenging to plan for and enjoy a continuous supply of fresh berries. However, everbearing blackberries, such as ‘Prime-Ark Freedom’ and ‘Natchez’, produce fruit from early summer to late fall, providing an extended harvest season. They also have a sweeter and larger berry size compared to other everbearing varieties.

5. ‘Arapaho’ Blackberries

For those living in colder climates, finding blackberry varieties that can withstand harsh winters can be a challenge. ‘Arapaho’ blackberries are a great option for cold weather gardens, as they are more tolerant of low temperatures than other varieties. They also produce large, sweet berries that ripen earlier in the season compared to other blackberries.

References:

1. Top Blackberry Varieties to Grow in Your Garden by The Spruce, https://www.thespruce.com/top-blackberry-varieties-to-grow-4050921
2. 10 Best Blackberry Varieties to Grow at Home by Gardening Channel, https://gardeningchannel.com/top-10-best-blackberry-varieties-to-grow/
3. How to Choose the Right Blackberry Variety for Your Garden by Gardening Know How, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/how-to-choose-the-right-blackberry-variety.htm
4. Growing Thornless Blackberries in Your Garden by Harvest to Table, https://harvesttotable.com/growing-thornless-blackberries-in-your-garden/
5. The Best Blackberry Varieties. The Seasonal Homestead. BECKY. JUNE 23, 2024. https://www.theseasonalhomestead.com/the-best-blackberry-varieties/