Basket case bramble – in the nicest possible way
Can this be a blackberry? Hanging basket blackberry Black Cascade is a world away from the huge and unruly hedgerow bramble. It’s the first naturally dwarfing and compact blackberry of its type, bred by Professor John Clark at the University of Arkansas. Black Cascade crops in the autumn, a primocane variety suitable for a hanging basket or container. It’s thornless, will fruit in its first year, and three plants will be enough to fill a 35-40cm (14-16in) basket.
When watered well and fed regularly, the three plants can produce up to 1.3kg of fruit from August until October. The large, attractive berries are sweet and juicy, whether eaten raw or cooked as pies, crumbles or made into jam.
DT Brown’s Tim Jeffries said: “Many of us don’t grow blackberries due to fears of rambling plants, or we prefer gathering them from hedgerows. This patio variety gives everyone the chance to grow a few at home. Coming from such a renowned breeding programme, we thought DT Brown customers would want to try this superb, prolific fruiting variety.”
Hanging basket blackberry – Renowned breeding programme
Once fruiting has finished, the plants should be cut back and kept relatively dry during winter. They will shoot away the following spring when watering should begin again. Primocane blackberries produce fruit on growth made in the current season. The plants should last for up to three years in the same hanging basket before requiring potting on. Hanging basket blackberry Black Cascade plants are supplied in 9cm pots.
UPDATE: This product is no longer available from DT Brown, but it can be found widely from online nurseries, including at www.dobies.co.uk. Learn more about dealing with plum and apple gluts to avoid food waste.
