Botanical Name: Rubus fruticosus ‘Chester Thornless’
Blackberry ‘Thornless Chester’ is a productive deciduous berry plant that produces generous crops of large, glossy blackberries with a sweet, rich flavour. Perfect for home edible gardens, its delicious fruit can be enjoyed fresh or used in desserts, jams, smoothies and baking.
Key Features
• Thornless canes make harvesting and maintenance much easier
• High-yielding variety with reliable crops
• Late-season fruiting, helping extend the blackberry harvest
• Self-fertile – only one plant is needed to produce fruit
• Vigorous trailing growth – ideal for training along a trellis, fence or wire support
• Deciduous – naturally loses its leaves during winter before producing fresh growth in spring
Pet Friendly: Yes. Blackberry fruit is non-toxic to cats and dogs when eaten in moderation. However, pets should be discouraged from eating large amounts of leaves or other plant material, as this may cause digestive upset.
Size Available
• Height: Approximately 30–40cm
• Pot Size: 140mm
• Mature Size: Canes can reach approximately 2–3m long and are best trained onto a trellis or support
Care Guide
1. Lighting: Plant in full sun for the best flowering, fruit production and flavour. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate light shade, but fruit production may be reduced.
2. Watering: Water deeply 2–3 times per week during establishment, adjusting according to rainfall and soil moisture. Once established, keep the soil consistently moist during flowering and fruit development for the best crop. Increase watering during hot, dry weather, but avoid constantly waterlogged soil.
3. Soil: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, improve the soil with compost or well-rotted organic matter. A layer of mulch around the root zone can help retain moisture and reduce weeds, but keep mulch away from direct contact with the stems.
4. Fertilising: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring as new growth begins. An additional feed suitable for fruiting plants can be applied during the growing season to support flowering and fruit development. Avoid excessive nitrogen, as this can encourage vigorous leafy growth with fewer fruits.
5. Pruning: Blackberry ‘Thornless Chester’ generally produces fruit on second-year canes. After harvesting, cut the canes that have finished fruiting back to ground level, leaving the healthy new-season canes to produce the following year’s crop. Train and tie new canes onto a trellis or wire support to keep the plant tidy, improve airflow and make harvesting easier.
