Hybrid

Apache Thornless Blackberry

Rubus 'Apache'

A premium thornless blackberry variety developed by the University of Arkansas, producing some of the largest and sweetest blackberries available to home gardeners. This erect-growing variety requires no trellising and produces heavy crops of glossy black berries with exceptional flavor and firmness. Apache's self-supporting canes and extended harvest period make it ideal for gardeners wanting maximum fruit production with minimal maintenance.

Sun

Full sun

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Zones

6–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Moderate

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Apache Thornless Blackberry in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Apache Thornless Blackberry · Zones 6–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing3-4 feet

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH5.5-6.8

Water1-2 inches per week, especially during fruit development

SeasonPerennial cane fruit

FlavorSweet with low acidity and rich, complex blackberry flavor

ColorGlossy black when fully ripe

SizeVery large, up to 1.5 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December
Zone 10	—	March – April	—	June – December

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits vary in size and color with many maturing to black or red. Usually edible but vary in taste and sugar content. They also vary as to when they are available.

Type: Aggregate, Drupe.

Garden value: Edible

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Apache blackberries store exceptionally well due to their firm texture and low moisture content. Keep unwashed berries in the refrigerator in their original container or a shallow bowl lined with paper towels, where they'll maintain quality for 5-7 days - longer than most blackberry varieties.

For freezing, spread clean, dry berries on cookie sheets and freeze individually before transferring to freezer bags. This prevents clumping and maintains Apache's excellent texture when thawed. Frozen berries keep 8-12 months and work perfectly in baked goods.

Apache's sweet, low-acid profile makes it ideal for jams and jellies with reduced sugar recipes. The berries also dehydrate beautifully into chewy, raisin-like treats. Their exceptional firmness means they hold their shape well in pies and cobblers, unlike softer varieties that can become mushy when cooked.

History & Origin

Apache thornless blackberry was developed by Dr. John Clark and the fruit breeding program at the University of Arkansas in the 1990s, released to the public in 1998. This variety emerged from Arkansas's ambitious blackberry breeding program, which has produced many of today's premium thornless varieties including Arapaho, Navajo, and Ouachita.

The variety was specifically bred to combine three crucial traits: exceptional fruit size and quality, complete thornlessness for easy harvesting, and erect growth habit requiring no trellising. Arkansas researchers achieved this by crossing elite thornless selections with varieties known for superior fruit characteristics, then selecting for the best combinations over multiple generations.

Apache represents a significant advancement in blackberry breeding, producing berries nearly twice the size of wild blackberries while maintaining complex flavor profiles. The University of Arkansas program chose Native American tribal names for their blackberry releases, with Apache joining a distinguished lineage of varieties that transformed home blackberry growing from a thorny, labor-intensive endeavor into an accessible backyard crop for gardeners nationwide.

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Drought
+Attracts: Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Fruits attract birds. Provides nectar for bees, food for birds and mammals, and thickets provide shelter for small mammals. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and spider mites while improving soil health

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and various insect pests through natural compounds

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, provides mulch and attracts beneficial insects

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and various flying insects that can damage berries

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent disease and repel aphids

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, adds nutrients when composted

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides living mulch to retain moisture

Rue

Repels Japanese beetles and other harmful insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill blackberry plants

Raspberries

Share similar diseases and pests, cross-contamination increases disease pressure

Tomatoes

Both susceptible to verticillium wilt and other soil-borne diseases

Nutrition Facts

Calories

43kcal(2%)

Protein

1.39g(3%)

Fiber

5.3g(19%)

Carbs

9.61g(3%)

Fat

0.49g(1%)

Vitamin C

21mg(23%)

Vitamin A

11mcg(1%)

Vitamin K

19.8mcg(17%)

Iron

0.62mg(3%)

Calcium

29mg(2%)

Potassium

162mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173946)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to anthracnose and stem blight

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids, cane borers, birds, Japanese beetles

Diseases

Cane blight, orange rust, crown gall

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Apache thornless blackberry take to produce fruit?▼

Apache blackberries produce their first crop in the second year after planting. First-year canes (primocanes) establish roots and grow vegetatively, while second-year canes (floricanes) flower and fruit from mid-June through July. This biennial fruiting cycle is standard for blackberries, so patience during the establishment year leads to decades of productive harvests.

Can you grow Apache blackberries in containers?▼

Yes, Apache blackberries can succeed in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) with excellent drainage. Use a quality potting mix amended with compost, and expect slightly reduced yields compared to ground-planted canes. Container plants require more frequent watering and winter protection in zones 6-7, but the erect growth habit makes Apache one of the better blackberry choices for container growing.

What does Apache blackberry taste like?▼

Apache blackberries offer exceptional sweetness with low acidity and rich, complex blackberry flavor that many consider superior to store-bought varieties. The berries are notably less tart than wild blackberries, with a balanced sweetness that makes them excellent for fresh eating. Their firm texture provides satisfying bite while maintaining juiciness, and the flavor intensifies when berries reach full ripeness.

When should I plant Apache blackberry canes?▼

Plant Apache blackberry bare root canes in late winter to early spring, typically February through April depending on your location. Plant after the last hard freeze but while canes are still dormant. In warmer zones 8-9, you can also plant in fall. Avoid planting during active growth periods or extreme weather conditions for best establishment success.

Apache vs Arapaho blackberry - what's the difference?▼

Both are thornless Arkansas varieties, but Apache produces larger berries with firmer texture and stores longer after harvest. Arapaho ripens 1-2 weeks earlier and has slightly better cold tolerance, while Apache offers extended harvest period and superior fresh-eating quality. Choose Arapaho for shorter growing seasons or earlier harvests, Apache for maximum fruit size and storage capability.

Is Apache blackberry good for beginners?▼

Apache is moderately beginner-friendly due to its thornless canes and self-supporting growth, eliminating common challenges with thorny varieties and complex trellising. However, it requires understanding of biennial fruiting cycles and proper pruning techniques. New gardeners should be prepared for the two-year wait until first harvest and learn to distinguish between first and second-year canes for proper maintenance.