Blackberry (bramble) ‘Thornless Evergreen’ (Rubus fruticosus) – hardy small fruit – 9 cm pot – height 35 cm

Yes, the Thornless Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus 'Thornless Evergreen') was selected precisely for the complete absence of thorns on its stems. Unlike wild brambles that make picking laborious, this variety can be handled and harvested without any risk of scratches. This is a considerable advantage for beginner gardeners, families with children, and elderly people. Pruning, training on supports, and picking the blackberries can all be done by hand, completely safely.

The blackberry harvest from the 'Thornless Evergreen' usually takes place between July and September depending on the region and 'exposure. The fruit is ripe when 'it is completely black, shiny, and detaches easily with a gentle tug. It is advisable to harvest every two to three days because the blackberries ripen gradually on the clusters. Slightly firm fruit that is still dark red is not yet fully developed in sweetness: be patient, it will turn black in a few more days.

The Thornless Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus 'Thornless Evergreen') absolutely requires full sun to reach its full fruiting potential. A location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day guarantees dense flowering and abundant fruit production. In partial shade, the plant grows adequately but produces far fewer fruits, and their sugar content is reduced. It is preferable to orient your blackberry canes to the south or southwest, backed by a wall or on a trellis, to maximize accumulated heat.

Pruning thornless blackberry canes is based on a simple principle: the canes bear fruit only in their second year of growth. After the autumn harvest, all canes that have just borne fruit must be cut off at the base (they can be identified by their darker wood and the remains of their clusters). The young green canes of the c'urrent year are kept, tied to a trellis, and these are the ones that will bear fruit the following season. This biennial pruning is essential to maintain regular production and good air circulation.

Yes, the Thornless Evergreen 'Blackberry' grows very well in a pot on a balcony or terrace, provided you choose a container 'at least 40 cm in diameter and depth. Use a compost-enriched potting mix for fruit plants and ensure effective drainage to prevent 'root asphyxiation. 'Watering in a pot must be more regular than 'in the ground, especially in summer, because the substrate dries out quickly. Install a trellis or a V-shaped support to guide the stems and make harvesting at height easier. A supply of 'fruit fertilizer in spring will promote a good yield.

The Thornless Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus 'Thornless Evergreen') is a hardy plant, capable of withstanding the cold winters of almost all of France when planted in the ground. In a pot, it is advisable to overwinter young plants during their first year by placing them in a frost-free area or wrapping the container in winter fleece, as the limited volume of soil freezes faster than the ground. From the second year onwards, even in a pot, the plant generally tolerates slightly below-freezing temperatures without noticeable damage to the roots.

The Thornless Evergreen 'Blackberry' s'fits perfectly into a family fruit garden alongside raspberry, gooseberry, or blackcurrant bushes, creating a varied picking area over several weeks. On a trellis or pergola, it quickly covers a wall or fence thanks to its rapid growth, providing dense vegetation and striking deciduous foliage. When planted with flowering perennials such as coneflowers or snapdragons, it attracts pollinators during its May-June bloom.