Rubus fruticosus Purple Opal - Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus 'Purple Opal', the Garden Blackberry, is a new American variety with small development that does not require trellising, making it ideal for small spaces and container gardening. The plant develops thornless stems, which makes harvesting easier. After abundant flowering in June-July, this fruiting bramble produces large red fruits that turn black, juicy and sweet when ripe. Fruiting on the current year's shoots, the bush is pruned in late winter. Planting is done from autumn to spring for a harvest starting in August the following year.

The fruiting bramble is a sarmentose shrub with flexible branches. It is very hardy, capable of withstanding temperatures down to -25°C (1°F). Its deciduous leaves are toothed and spiny. It blooms in spring and summer, with small white and pink flowers that later turn into round berries. Blackberries can be consumed fresh right after harvest or enjoyed in jams, jellies, ice creams, and pastries (pies, muffins, etc.). Harvesting takes place in summer and early autumn. The fruits are ripe when they detach easily from their support. Although self-fertile, it is recommended to plant at least 2 plants to improve fruiting; space them 2m (7ft) apart. 'Purple Opal' does not exceed 1m (3ft) in all directions when grown in open ground.

In the garden, it is generally necessary to provide support for trellising, except for dwarf varieties: a wire mesh, a trellis, a fence, or a wall on which horizontal wires will be fixed. The canes, whether climbing or erect, will reach about 5m (16ft) long. Cultivated blackberries produce many suckers at the base but are much less invasive than wild blackberries. Moreover, some varieties are thornless, like 'Purple Opal', which obviously makes picking easier.

Fruiting brambles can be grown in different areas of the garden. Trellising at a shallow depth allows for the creation of a small edible hedge along the edges of the vegetable garden, orchard, or ornamental garden. Mix them with raspberries, currants, blackcurrants, and other small fruits.

The fruiting bramble, producing garden blackberries, is sometimes confused with the mulberry tree, a tree that grows 5 to 10m (16 to 33ft) tall. The bramble belongs to the Rosaceae family and the mulberry, whether white or black, belongs to the Moraceae family.