Rubus ursinus 'Oregon Thornless'
The Oregon Thornless blackberry is a fantastic choice for home gardeners seeking delicious, home-grown berries without the hassle of thorny canes. This semi-erect variety produces abundant crops of large, sweet berries and offers the convenience of thorn-free harvesting, making it perfect for family gardens and areas where children play.
Thornless Convenience: Completely spine-free canes make pruning, training, and harvesting a pleasure rather than a chore. No need for thick gloves or protective clothing when tending your plants.
Exceptional Flavour: Oregon Thornless produces large, glossy black berries with excellent sweet-tart flavour that's perfect for fresh eating, baking, preserves, and freezing.
Heavy Cropping: Mature plants can yield 4-6 kilograms of fruit per season, with berries ripening from mid-July through August.
Semi-Erect Growth: Sturdy canes require minimal support compared to trailing varieties, making them easier to manage in smaller spaces.
Climate and Hardiness
Soil Preferences
Sunlight and Spacing
When to Plant
Plant bare-root canes in late autumn to early spring when dormant. Container-grown plants can be planted throughout the growing season with adequate watering.
Planting Method
Dig holes twice the width of the root system and plant at the same depth as previously grown. Water thoroughly after planting and apply a 7-10cm layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the stem.
Watering
Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during fruit development. Water deeply once or twice weekly rather than frequent shallow watering. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses work excellently.
Feeding
Apply a balanced fertiliser (10-10-10) in early spring. Side-dress with compost mid-season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers late in the season as these promote soft growth susceptible to winter damage.
Support System
While semi-erect, Oregon Thornless benefits from a simple trellis system. Install posts with two horizontal wires at 1 metre and 1.5 metres high to support fruiting canes.
Annual Pruning
Training Tips
Tie new canes loosely to supports as they grow. Separate fruiting canes from new growth to improve air circulation and ease of harvesting.
When to Harvest
Berries ripen from mid-July through August. Pick when fruits are fully black and easily detach from the plant with gentle pressure. Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season.
Storage
Common Issues
Prevention
Regular pruning, proper spacing, and avoiding overhead watering help prevent most disease issues. Remove fallen leaves and debris to reduce overwintering pests.
This variety combines the best of both worlds: exceptional fruit quality and garden-friendly characteristics. The absence of thorns makes it ideal for gardeners who want to enjoy growing blackberries without the associated scratches and difficulties of traditional thorny varieties. Its reliable cropping, excellent flavour, and manageable growth habit make it a superb choice for both novice and experienced fruit growers.
Perfect for fresh eating, baking, preserves, and sharing with friends and neighbours, Oregon Thornless blackberry will provide years of delicious harvests with proper care.
Buying Fruit Trees/Bushes from Jacksons Nurseries
Our trees might be Freshly Potted and the root system may not be fully established, and loose soil may occur when unpacking.
Unlike many garden centres, supermarkets and some nurseries here at Jacksons Nurseries we sell the majority of our stock all year round. Our stock is for the most part grown outdoors making it far hardier than those grown under glass and/or only sold ‘In Season’.
Here at Jacksons Nurseries we would favour a hardy outdoor grown plant every time. They are far less likely to suffer from the shock of being planted in colder conditions and they will begin to establish more rapidly the following spring. This can mean that they don’t look like a ‘picture perfect’ plant when purchased out of season but with the correct care and a little time you’ll have a wonderful plant to enjoy for many years to come.
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