3 Thornless Blackberry Starter Plants – Everbearing ‘Horizon’ Rubus, Live Fruit Bushes

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with these 3 thornless blackberry starter plants of the ‘Horizon’ variety. Developed by the University of Arkansas, ‘Horizon’ is a highly esteemed, primocane-fruiting (everbearing) blackberry known for its exceptional productivity and large, firm berries. These live fruit bushes are designed to provide a bountiful harvest, offering both a traditional summer floricane crop and a late-season primocane crop, ensuring an extended period of fresh fruit. Ideal for home growers in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9, particularly thriving in the mid to upper South, these plants are a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enjoy homegrown blackberries without the hassle of thorns. Each Rubus ‘Horizon’ blackberry plant is ready to establish itself in your garden, promising delicious yields for years to come.

Key Benefits

Investing in these everbearing blackberry plants brings a multitude of advantages to your garden and your table. Their unique characteristics make them a standout choice for both novice and experienced gardeners:

• Extended Harvest Season: The ‘Horizon’ variety is primocane-fruiting, meaning it produces fruit on new canes (primocanes) in the late summer/fall, in addition to the traditional summer crop on floricanes. This dual cropping ensures you enjoy fresh blackberries over a much longer period.
• Thornless Canes: Enjoy hassle-free harvesting and maintenance. The absence of thorns makes picking berries a pleasure and reduces the risk of injury during pruning or tending to your plants.
• High Yield & Large Berries: These plants are known for their prolific production of impressively large berries, often averaging 7.8g, with some individual fruits reaching 10-15g. This means more delicious fruit with less effort.
• Excellent Flavor & Firmness: ‘Horizon’ blackberries boast a superb flavor profile and firm texture, making them perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, jellies, and freezing.
• Adaptable to Various Climates: While particularly successful in the mid to upper South, these blackberry plant care requires minimal effort in USDA Zones 6-9, making them suitable for a wide range of growing conditions.
• Nutrient-Rich Fruit: Blackberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, contributing to a healthy diet. Growing your own ensures you have access to fresh, organic produce.
• Attractive Garden Addition: Beyond their fruit-bearing capabilities, these bushes add a lush, green aesthetic to your garden, especially when laden with ripening berries.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper blackberry plant care is essential for a bountiful harvest from your Rubus ‘Horizon’ blackberry plants. These bushes thrive with adequate attention to their specific needs. Blackberries prefer a site that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Full sun exposure is crucial for optimal fruit production and plant health. While they can tolerate some partial shade, yields will be significantly reduced. Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent fungal diseases.

When it comes to watering, consistent moisture is key, especially during fruiting periods. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot. For soil, blackberries prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants will help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

These everbearing blackberry plants are best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9. They are generally tolerant of a range of temperatures but may require winter protection in the colder parts of Zone 6. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or one formulated for fruit-bearing plants. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen, as this can promote excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production. Pruning is vital for primocane-fruiting varieties like ‘Horizon’. After the fall primocane crop, cut those canes back to the ground. Floricanes (which fruit in summer) should be removed after they have finished fruiting. This pruning regimen encourages new growth and maximizes your harvest from your thornless blackberry starter plants.

Size & Details

This offering includes 3 thornless blackberry starter plants, specifically the ‘Horizon’ variety. These are typically provided as starter plugs, which are young, vigorous plants ready for transplanting into your garden. While the exact size upon arrival may vary, they are generally healthy, well-rooted specimens designed to establish quickly. Once mature, ‘Horizon’ blackberry bushes can reach a height of 5-8 feet and spread similarly, depending on growing conditions and pruning. They are fast growers, and with proper care, you can expect fruit production within the first year for the primocane crop, with a more substantial floricane crop in the second year. These robust plants are an investment in future harvests, providing ample opportunities to enjoy fresh, homegrown blackberries.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these thornless blackberry starter plants get? A: Once mature, the ‘Horizon’ blackberry bushes can typically reach a height of 5-8 feet and spread similarly, depending on your local growing conditions and how frequently you prune them.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: These everbearing blackberry plants are outdoor fruiting bushes, best suited for planting directly in the ground in a sunny garden location. They are not intended for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight do these Rubus ‘Horizon’ blackberry plants need? A: Blackberries require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal fruit production and plant health.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, with proper planting and regular care, ‘Horizon’ blackberries are relatively easy to maintain. Their thornless nature makes pruning and harvesting much simpler than traditional varieties.
• Q: What condition will these thornless blackberry starter plants arrive in? A: These plants will arrive as healthy starter plugs, carefully packaged to ensure their safe journey. They will be ready for immediate transplanting upon arrival.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these blackberries? A: The best time to plant these starter plants is typically in early spring after the last frost, or in late fall before the ground freezes, allowing them to establish their root system.
• Q: Will these primocane fruiting blackberry plants survive winter in my zone? A: The ‘Horizon’ variety is hardy in USDA Zones 6-9. If you are in the colder parts of Zone 6, some winter protection may be beneficial, such as mulching heavily around the base.
• Q: How long until I get fruit from these everbearing blackberry plants? A: You can often expect a small primocane crop (late summer/fall) in the first year after planting, with a more substantial floricane crop (early summer) and primocane crop in subsequent years.
• Q: What type of soil is best for these plants? A: Blackberries prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Amending with organic matter is highly beneficial for good drainage and nutrient content.
• Q: Can I grow these blackberry plant care varieties in containers? A: While possible, blackberries generally prefer to be planted in the ground to allow their root systems to spread. If using containers, choose very large pots (at least 15-20 gallons) to accommodate their growth.