Cutleaf blackberry
Rubus laciniatus · Rosaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cutleaf blackberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to July, pink or white flowers
- Fruits
- Edible black blackberries in August-September
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- North America
- Soil type
- Undemanding, tolerates poor to average soils
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, the cutleaf blackberry tolerates drought well thanks to its deep root system. During prolonged hot spells, weekly watering optimizes fruiting.
Exposure
Plant your blackberry in full sun for optimal flowering and fruiting. It also accepts partial shade but with fewer fruits. Avoid overly windy spots that could damage young shoots.
Pruning and Training
Prune after harvest (September-October) by removing old canes that have borne fruit. Maintain an airy structure to limit humidity and encourage light penetration. Young stems can be trained on a support to facilitate harvesting and save space.
Soil Preparation
The cutleaf blackberry adapts to almost all soil types, even poor or stony ones. Adding compost at planting time enriches the soil and promotes establishment. Ensure good drainage to prevent root suffocation in case of excess water.
Fertilizing
A modest application of compost or well-decomposed manure in spring is generally sufficient. Avoid fertilizers too rich in nitrogen that would promote foliage at the expense of fruit. A dusting of seaweed or potash in early summer can support fruiting.
Diseases and Pests
The cutleaf blackberry is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew during humid summers: remove affected leaves and improve ventilation. Codling moths can affect fruit; protective netting or biological treatments limit damage. Remove diseased stems promptly.
Did you know?
The cutleaf blackberry is remarkable for its very finely divided and lacinated leaves (hence its name), giving a lacy effect. Originally from North America, it has naturalized in Europe and Asia, where it produces delicious blackberries much appreciated by birds and berry lovers. Some botanists consider it an excellent ornamental alternative to wild brambles, combining foliage beauty with generous fruiting.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.