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ShrubsFruit Edible

Rubus fruticosus agg. 'Karaka Black'PBR (B)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

blackberry 'Karaka Black'

'Karaka Black' is a thorny-stemmed blackberry cultivar with arching canes to around 2m tall bearing lobed, dark green leaves. White flowers are followed by large, shiny black fruit reaching up to 7.5cm in length; the long cropping season extends from early summer into autumn

Synonyms
Rubus 'Karaka Black'
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White
Autumn Green Black
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing
Genus

Rubus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, often scrambling with bristly or prickly stems bearing simple, lobed, palmate or pinnate leaves and 5-petalled flowers followed by juicy, sometimes edible fruits

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Usually grown fan-trained on free-standing post and wire support systems. Mulch with well-rotted compost or manure. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See blackberry cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by tip layering or from cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Hedging and screens
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Cut out old canes following fruiting and tie in new canes; see pruning blackberries

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, raspberry beetle and gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)

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