The planting work is done, spring can come. When the blackberry bush blooms for the first time, the anticipation of delicious fruits will awaken. But when do the different types of blackberries actually bloom, and what do their flowers look like? You can find out here.
When do blackberries bloom?
Blackberries bloombetween April and August on two-year-old shoots. The beginning, end and duration of the flowering period depend on the blackberry variety and the weather. The flowers are simple and have five petals. Most blackberry varieties bloom pure white, some varieties also have pink flowers.
What do blackberry blossoms look like in detail?
The shape of the flowers of blackberries (Rubus sect. Rubus) is reminiscent of wild roses. This is not surprising, as both come from the rose family. The blackberry blossom in detail:
- panicled or racemose inflorescences
- sit at the end of special side shoots
- radially symmetrical flowers
- 1-2 cm diameter
- eachfive sepals and petals
- usuallywhite, rarely pink
- more than 20 stamens and many carpels
Not all flowers on a bush open at the same time. That's why you can see inflorescences of blackberries in the garden and forest that have flower buds, open flowers and fruit sets at the same time. The sunnier the location and the more appropriate the care, the greater the abundance of flowers.
When are the flowering times of the best-known cultivars?
- ‘Asterina’: early June to early September; white
- ‘Baby Cakes’: June; white
- ‘Black Cascade’: April to June; white
- ‘Black Satin’: June to July; delicate pink
- ‘Chester Thornless’: June to July; white with light violet
- ‘Choctaw’: late May to early June; white (sensitive to frost)
- ‘Dirksen Thornless’: May to June; white to light pink
- 'Dorman Red': May to end of June; white (red fruits)
- ‘Jumbo’: June to July; white
- ‘Kiowa’: early June to July; white with a touch of purple
- 'Loch Ness': June to July; white
- 'Loch Tay': April to May; creamy white, rarely pink flowers
- ‘Navaho’: early June to late July; white
- ‘Theodor Reimers’; June to July; white
- ‘Thornfree’: June to July; soft pink
- 'Thornless Evergreen': June to July; white
- 'Triple Crown': June to July; white
- 'Wilson's Early': June to July; soft pink
Do blackberries always bloom on two-year-old shoots?
Almost all blackberry varieties bloom on canes from the previous year. But now there are varieties like 'Reuben' that bloom and fruit on annual shoots. The harvest season begins later, around the beginning of September. If the removed canes are not cut off, they can fruit again the following summer. However, they are usually cut back close to the ground after the harvest, as new canes sprout in the spring anyway.
Blackberry blossoms are eaten and dry, why?
It looks like there areBloomstecher(Atnhonomus rubi) on your blackberry bush. This is a smallbeetle species that lays its eggs in the flower buds. After hatching, they eat the blackberry flowers. Unfortunately, combating it is not possible.
When do blackberry fruits ripen?
It can take a few weeks from flowering to fruiting. The first berries can be eatenfrom July, the last onesuntil around the end of October.
Tip
Blackberry blossoms can beautify your balcony
Blackberry varieties that grow more compact can also be cultivated well in pots. For example, 'Baby Cakes', whose growth habit is more like a blueberry bush. The 'Black Cascade' variety is characterized by slow growth and overhanging shoots. It looks wonderful in a hanging basket.
