Varieties Offered
Apache, Arapaho, Big Daddy, Kiowa, Natchez, Navaho, Ouachita, Ponca, Primeark Freedom, Primeark Traveler, Sweet-Ark Immaculate, Sweet-Ark Ponca, Sweetie Pie
Apache
Among the highest yields and largest fruit of any thornless blackberry. Sturdy, upright canes and sweet fruit. Needs 800 hours of chilling. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens in summer. Great for fresh eating, canning, in preserves and cooking.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular
Soil: Moist, Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Arapaho
Erect, thornless, bush variety produces high yields of large, conical, glossy-blackberries. Needs 400 hours of chilling. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens in midseason. Good for canning, desserts and jams.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Deep, Fertile, Well Drained, Sandy Loam
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Big Daddy
Produces exceptionally large, sweet, and firm blackberries on vigorous, erect canes. Known for its excellent flavor and high yields. Needs about 500–600 chill hours. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens mid- to late summer. Great for fresh eating, freezing, and desserts.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Deep, Fertile, Well Drained, Sandy Loam
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Kiowa
Thorny variety that produces the largest blackberry fruit available, up to 3 inches long. Fruit is firm, sweet-tart, and ripens over an extended harvest season. Needs 200–300 chill hours. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens from late spring through midsummer. Excellent for fresh eating, jams, and preserves.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Deep, Fertile, Well Drained, Sandy Loam
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Natchez
Thornless, erect to semi-erect plants produce large, sweet glossy blackberries early in the season. Needs 500 hours of chilling. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit matures in early summer. Fresh eating, desserts, freezing.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular
Soil: Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 5-9
Navaho
Erect- growing, thornless plants bear very heavy crops of large, deep blue to black, juicy berries over a long harvest period. Needs 800 hours of chilling. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit matures in summer. Great for fresh eating, cooking, and preserves.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular
Soil: Moist, Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 5-9
Ouachita
High yields of large, tasty blackberries ripen mid-season on erect, thornless canes. Needs 350 hours of chilling. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit matures in mid-summer. Great for fresh eating, syrups, and preserves.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular
Soil: Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 5-9
Ponca
Produces consistently sweet blackberries with low acidity and outstanding flavor. Fruit is medium-sized, glossy, and firm. Needs about 400–500 chill hours. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens early in the season, starting in June. Excellent for fresh eating, desserts, and winemaking.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Deep, Fertile, Well Drained, Sandy Loam
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Primeark Freedom
Easy harvest, juicy blackberries from thornless, upright canes. Needs 500 chill hours. Self-fertile. Fruit is large, firm and sweet. Everbearing, primocanes fruit first in June, followed by a second crop in July on the new canes. Blooms in spring. Fruits June to July. Use for desserts, jam and drinks.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 5-9
Primeark Traveler
A new thornless Blackberry producing good yields of medium-large fruit with low acid and plenty of sweetness. Needs 300 chill hours. Self-fertile. It will also have two crops a year, early summer and fall. Great firmness for shipping. Fall berries will be appreciated in markets. Blooms early to mid summer. Fruit ripens in mid to late summer. Use for desserts, jam and drinks.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular
Soil: Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Sweet-Ark Immaculate
A new thornless blackberry bred for exceptional sweetness and very low acidity. Large, glossy berries are firm, juicy, and easy to harvest. Requires about 400–500 chill hours. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens in early summer. Best for fresh eating, desserts, and market sales.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Deep, Fertile, Well Drained, Sandy Loam
Hardiness Zone(s): 5-9
Sweet-Ark® Ponca
A new thornless Blackberry with superior flavor, bright and sweet. Large, juicy berries start in early June. Disease free and no thorns to fight. Needs 400-500 chill hours. Self-fertile. Trellis upright canes for maximum production and ease of harvest. Blooms in late spring. Fruit ripens in summer. Use for desserts, jam and drinks.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular
Soil: Well Drained
Hardiness Zone(s): 5-9
Sweetie Pie
Developed for the Deep South, this thornless variety tolerates heat and humidity while maintaining excellent flavor. Produces medium-large, glossy berries with a sweet, rich taste. Needs 300–400 chill hours. Self-fertile. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens in early to mid-summer. Great for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Water Use: Regular During Fruit Development
Soil: Deep, Fertile, Well Drained, Sandy Loam
Hardiness Zone(s): 6-9
Resources
LSU AgCenter- Blackberry Diseases
LSU AgCenter- Blackberry Field Day(Varieties)
LSU AgCener- Blackberry Growing Guide
LSU AgCenter- Blackberry Trellis Anchoring Methods
LSU AgCenter- Difference between Floricane and Primocane in Blackberries
LSU AgCenter- Pruning and Early Shaping Blackberries Part 1
LSU AgCenter- Prunning and Early Shaping Blackberries Part 2
LSU AgCenter- Prunning and Early Shaping Blackberries Part 3
LSU AgCenter- Prunning and Early Shaping Blackberries Part 4
LSU AgCenter- Post Harvest Care
LSU AgCenter- Variety Highlight: Kiowa
LSU AgCenter- Variety Highlight: Ponca
LSU AgCenter- Weed Control
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture- Blackberries