Rubus fruticosus Thornfree - Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus 'Thornfree' has a very rapid growth rate and produces an abundance of large, tasty, and juicy black fruits. Particularly vigorous and productive, it is a hardy plant that should be trained along a wall or on a sturdy trellis. It is a self-fertile variety, which yields a plentiful harvest in September. The fruits make excellent jams, jellies, or pies. Plant in ordinary soil, not too dry to moist, in full sun or partial shade.

Rubus fruticosus 'Thornfree' belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a variety obtained in the USA, in Oregon and Washington. It is a perennial climbing and creeping plant, reaching maturity in two years, with branches that can reach 3 to 6m (10 to 20ft) in length, and with a stump that can occupy 0.5 to 1m (2 to 3ft) of ground. The foliage is deciduous, dark green, composed of compound and dentate leaves, with visible veins, very similar to wild blackberry leaves. The stems are inermous, they only live to bear fruit (2 years) and are gradually replaced by suckers originating from the stump. The abundant and nectar-producing flowering bears numerous small pale-pink flowers, 1.5cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in clusters. It occurs from July to August. The fruits are formed by drupes stuck to the receptacle. The large berries are red before turning black in September when ripe. They should be picked when fully black, when they are sweet and tangy, juicy and tasty. The fruits can be consumed fresh, frozen, in pies, or made into jam.

This thornless blackberry has long flexible branches that must be trained along a fence, wall, or trellis. Hardy and easy to grow, it can thrive in ordinary, fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It will thrive against a sunny or partially shaded wall, highlighting the bare wood of the flexible branches in winter. Thornless blackberries are hybrids derived from the thornless common bramble, Rubus var. inermis, itself obtained by crossing the bramble and the raspberry. Extensive improvement and selection work has resulted in numerous particularly productive thornless varieties, most of which originate from America.