You are here.
Thorny Blackberries
Thorny blackberries are not widely grown, but they offer potential for small diversified farms with niche markets. The thorns are a significant impediment to culture and harvest.
Chickasaw: Large fruit and improved firmness over most other varieties. Produces fruit late in the season. Untested in Pennsylvania. Winter-hardiness may be a concern.
Choctaw: Very productive and early fruiting, producing large fruit with small seeds. Again, hardiness is questionable since the variety has not been grown extensively in the state. Currently being tested in Pennsylvania.
Darrow: An early, very erect plant that bears medium-sized, firm fruit with good flavor. Plants are vigorous and very winter hardy.
Illini Hardy: A very vigorous and hardy variety. Berries are of medium size with good flavor.
Kiowa: Produces very large fruit, and bears over a long harvest season.
Shawnee: A very productive plant that bears late, extremely large, sweet fruit. Resistant to orange rust. Hardiness purported to reach -10°F, but variety has not been planted widely in Pennsylvania.