Triple Crown Thornless Blackberry — Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown'

Triple Crown Thornless Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown') is a deciduous fruiting shrub with thornless canes and extra-large blackberries that ripen in summer. Pinkish-white, rose-like flowers give way to clusters of fruit, bringing seasonal interest and harvests to edible gardens.

This self-fruiting selection produces best in full sun and rich, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Provide support for the canes to help keep growth and harvests manageable.

Growing details

• Plant type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
• Listed height: 4–8 feet
• Listed spread: 3–5 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 4 feet apart
• USDA hardiness zones: 5–8
• Light: Full sun to part sun; best fruiting in full sun
• Soil: Rich, moist, slightly acidic and well-drained
• Flowers: Pinkish-white
• Fruit: Extra-large blackberries in summer
• Pollination: Self-fruiting
• Canes: Thornless; support recommended

Care and garden use

Water regularly while maintaining good drainage; avoid wet or waterlogged soil. After harvest, remove canes that have finished fruiting to ground level. New, non-fruiting canes can be tip-pruned in summer. Use stakes or other suitable supports to organize the canes.

This selection has moderate maintenance needs. Grow in edible gardens, borders, grouped plantings or informal hedges, leaving access for pruning and picking. Containers must be large enough for root growth and cane support, with drainage holes.

Image credit: Photo by Bottoms Nursery, Triple Crown Blackberry.