Chester Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus ‘Chester’)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun to part shade
• Best fruit production in full sun
• Prefers a sheltered, sunny location

Bloom Time:

• Late spring to early summer
• Fruit ripens mid to late summer

Size:

Height: 3 to 5 feet tall
Width: 3 to 5 feet wide. Can spread wider with support or training.

Attributes:

• Thornless canes for easy harvesting
• Large, sweet, firm blackberries
• Excellent disease resistance
• Self-fruitful (does not require a pollinator)
• Hardy in USDA zones 5–8
• Ideal for fresh eating, preserves, and wine
• Can be grown free-standing or trained on a trellis

Care Tips:

• Plant in organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil
• Avoid waterlogged conditions
• Space plants 3–5 feet apart
• Water regularly, especially during fruiting
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Prune in summer to tip new canes at 3 feet to encourage side shoots
• In late winter, remove old fruiting canes and thin new growth
• Train on a trellis for easier harvesting and better airflow