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Rubus fruticosus 'Dirksen'

Rubus fruticosus Dirksen
Blackberry, Bramble

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Thornless variety of blackberry, very vigorous, with a high yield of large black fruits. In June-July, its white, particularly melliferous flowering does not go unnoticed. From August to early October, this is followed by beautiful black and shiny fruits with firm and juicy flesh. With a sweet and sour taste, they are delicious to enjoy fresh or to transform into jams. It is a semi-climbing fruit shrub that finds its place in a gourmet hedge or along the edge of a vegetable garden. This blackberry variety is easy to cultivate and resistant to diseases and cold weather.
Flavour
Sour
Height at maturity
2 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Self-fertilising
Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time January to April, September to December
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Flowering time May to July
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Harvest time August to October
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Description

The 'Dirksen Thornless' Garden Blackberry is a robust, hardy fruit undershrub. To simplify cultivation, its semi-rigid stems, 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 feet) long, can be trained like a climbing plant. It produces large black fruits on thornless branches, which significantly facilitates harvesting. From August to October, an abundance of juicy blackberries with a balanced sweet-sour flavour can be harvested. This sweet taste, punctuated by a slight acidity, provides a lot of pleasure when eaten. Fruity and aromatic, this fruit enhances sauces, jellies, jams, pies, and fruit salads with its colours and fragrance—recommended planting in autumn.

The Rubus belongs to the rose family and is native to the mountains of the Caucasus in Asia Minor. This genus has diversified over time and has given rise to several subgenera, including the raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and the common blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). The latter genus includes numerous subspecies that differ in fruit size, colour, and acidity. This berry has been consumed in Europe and America for about 2000 years. Rubus fruticosus is commonly known as the bramble or wild blackberry. It is a climbing liana that can reach a width of 5 metres (16 feet) or more, with branches usually covered in thorns. It is found in many temperate regions worldwide, where it is often considered an invasive plant.

Rubus fruticosus 'Dirksen Thornless' is a garden blackberry of American origin, selected for its large fruits, thornless branches, and high yield. It is a climbing perennial plant with a semi-shrubby and bushy habit. The branches reach a length of 1.50 to 2.50 metres (5 to 8 feet), and the stump can occupy 0.5 to 0.8 metres (2 to 3 feet) of ground space. The foliage is deciduous and falls in autumn. It is bright green and composed of small, serrated leaves with visible veins similar to raspberry leaves. The branches only live to bear fruit (2 years) and are gradually replaced by shoots emerging from the stump. Fruit production generally occurs on 2-year-old branches, so renewing them yearly through winter pruning is essential. From May to June, the abundant and melliferous flowering consists of numerous small white flowers, single and cup-shaped, measuring 1.5 to 2 cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in clusters. The growing fruits are called drupes, clustered together on the receptacle and remain attached. They are larger than wild blackberries and change colour from red to black and shiny when they are fully ripe. They are best picked when they are entirely black when they are sweet, tangy, juicy, and flavorful.

'Dirksen Thornless' Blackberry has abundant fruiting from mid-August to October, allowing for staggered harvests for various culinary uses. It is a delicate fruit that must be picked carefully. Light rinsing with water is possible. Blackberries keep better in the refrigerator and can be frozen. The large size of the fruit on thornless branches greatly facilitates harvesting. They are enjoyable to eat fresh right after picking. They can also be used for various culinary purposes, such as jellies, jams, sorbets, sauces, syrups, juices, tiramisu, crumbles, and puddings... not to mention the famous blackberry pies. Low in calories but rich in minerals (manganese, iron, potassium), vitamins C and K, fibre, and antioxidants, blackberries contribute to a balanced diet.

Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F), easy to cultivate, the 'Dirksen Thornless' Garden Blackberry thrives in ordinary, preferably fertile, well-drained, and moist soil. A sunny or slightly shaded exposure is preferable. It is advisable to train the branches as they grow on a support such as a fence, trellis, pergola, or arches to facilitate harvesting. In winter, the branches that bore fruit that year should be pruned back to 15 cm (6in) above the ground. Mulching helps reduce evaporation and preserves soil fauna.

Rubus fruticosus 'Dirksen' in pictures

Rubus fruticosus 'Dirksen' (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Growth rate fast

Fruit

Fruit colour black
Fruit diameter 2 cm
Flavour Sour
Use Table, Jam, Patisserie
Harvest time August to October

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 2 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Rubus

Species

fruticosus

Cultivar

Dirksen

Family

Rosaceae

Other common names

Blackberry, Bramble

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference19659

Planting and care

The 'Dirksen Thornless' Blackberry prefers deep, fertile, and moist soils, but it is a low-demand plant that will adapt to any ordinary soil, as long as it is not too dry in summer. Brambles fruit in the sun, in partial or even in shade, but the fruits will be of lower quality in these conditions. It will tolerate full sun in cooler climates, while in hotter regions, it will prefer partial shade. It is best to plant it in the garden in autumn, from September to December.

Dig a hole twice as large as the root system. Loosen the root ball with a slightly sharp tool to untangle the roots and promote growth. Place the bush in the hole without burying it too deep. Water well to settle the soil and remove air around the roots. Ensure the plant does not lack water during the first year after planting.

Water regularly to facilitate rooting in the first year of planting. During periods of high heat or prolonged drought, provide additional water. Weed the surface, especially at the beginning of the planting, and apply mulch to keep the soil cool in summer.

Similarly, during the first year, only keep the vigorous branches. Organic fertiliser is beneficial at the start of the growing season. Train the new branches as they grow to prevent overgrowth: the bramble naturally layers, meaning that if a branch touches the ground for an extended period, it will develop roots and new shoots, creating a new bush.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time January to April, September to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Hedge, Climbing, Orchard
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Planting spacing Every 100 cm
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), fertile and well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions The pruning is done in January/February. Cut the canes that have already fruited to ground level, as they will no longer produce fruit. Fruit appears on the previous year's stems. If there are many remaining branches, remove some at the base to keep 5 or 6 to be trained as they grow. Also, remove dead branches and those that are too weak. The mulberry tree produces well for about ten years. After that, it is common for it to degenerate and for its production capacity to decrease yearly.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time January to February, December
Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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