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Fruit EdibleShrubs

Rubus fruticosus agg. 'Apache' (B)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

blackberry 'Apache'

This plant produces large, 7-10g sweet black fruit in mid-season on upright, thornless canes to 2m tall and 1.2 m wide. The fruit are suitable for desserts and cooking

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Black
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Can be fan trained and tolerates most soils but does best in neutral or slightly acid soils, but needs sun to flower and fruit well. Mulch with well-rotted compost. 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
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Edible fruit
  • Wall side borders
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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