Hybrid

Kiowa Thornless Blackberry

Rubus × 'Kiowa'

The largest-fruited blackberry variety available, with berries often exceeding 1 inch in length and delivering exceptional sweet flavor with low acidity. Developed by the University of Arkansas, this erect, thornless variety produces massive yields on strong, self-supporting canes. Despite its size, Kiowa maintains excellent fruit quality and is considered one of the best-tasting blackberries for fresh eating.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

6–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Kiowa Thornless Blackberry in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Kiowa Thornless Blackberry · Zones 6–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing4-6 feet

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH5.5-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week

SeasonPerennial cane fruit

FlavorVery sweet with low acidity, rich blackberry flavor

ColorDeep glossy black

SizeExtra large, 1+ inch long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	July – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	May – 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 Kiowa blackberries keep best in the refrigerator for 3-5 days when stored unwashed in a single layer. Their large size and firm texture make them excellent for fresh storage compared to more delicate varieties. Keep them in a breathable container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

For freezing, spread clean berries on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Kiowa's size and low water content make them ideal for freezing—they maintain shape and flavor better than smaller varieties.

Kiowa's exceptional sweetness and large size make them perfect for jams and preserves, requiring less added sugar than tart varieties. Their firm texture also works well for dehydrating into fruit leather or dried berries. The natural pectin content is moderate, so add pectin when making jams for proper gel consistency.

History & Origin

Kiowa was developed by the University of Arkansas breeding program in the 1990s, released to the public in 1996 as part of their systematic effort to create superior thornless blackberry varieties. The variety was created by crossing 'Ark. 1058' with 'Ark. 1119', combining the large fruit size genetics with thornless canes and improved flavor profiles.

Dr. John Clark led the breeding program that produced Kiowa, focusing specifically on creating blackberries with exceptional fresh-eating quality and commercial viability. The variety was named after the Kiowa Native American tribe, following Arkansas's tradition of naming their berry releases after indigenous tribes.

Kiowa represented a breakthrough in blackberry breeding—achieving the largest fruit size available while maintaining the convenience of thornless canes and excellent flavor. It quickly gained popularity among both commercial growers and home gardeners, particularly in the South and Midwest where it performs exceptionally well. The variety has become a parent plant for newer Arkansas releases, contributing its large fruit genes to the next generation of blackberry varieties.

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 Japanese beetles while improving soil with sulfur compounds

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds, attracts beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels ants

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and flying insects that damage berry crops

Garlic

Deters aphids, spider mites, and fungal diseases with sulfur compounds

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides living mulch to suppress weeds

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and improves soil mineral content

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill blackberry plants

Potato

Shares susceptibility to verticillium wilt and other soil-borne diseases

Tomato

Competes for nutrients and both susceptible to similar fungal 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

Moderate resistance to common cane diseases

Common Pests

Spotted wing drosophila, aphids, cane borers, spider mites

Diseases

Anthracnose, orange rust, crown gall, double blossom

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Kiowa blackberry take to produce fruit?▼

Kiowa blackberries typically produce their first small harvest in the second year after planting, with full production beginning in year three. The canes are biennial—first-year primocanes establish the plant, then produce fruit in their second year as floricanes. From bloom to harvest, expect 60-70 days during the fruiting season.

Can you grow Kiowa blackberries in containers?▼

Yes, but choose large containers at least 20-25 gallons in size due to Kiowa's vigorous growth habit. Use well-draining potting mix and ensure consistent watering, as container plants dry out faster. Container-grown Kiowa will produce smaller yields than ground-planted specimens but still provide excellent fruit quality.

What does Kiowa blackberry taste like compared to other varieties?▼

Kiowa offers exceptional sweetness with notably low acidity, creating a rich, full blackberry flavor without tartness. The large berry size provides more flesh-to-seed ratio than smaller varieties, resulting in a more satisfying eating experience. Many consider it among the best-tasting blackberries for fresh consumption.

When should I plant Kiowa blackberry canes?▼

Plant Kiowa blackberries in early spring, 2-3 weeks before your last expected frost date. In zones 6-9, this typically means March through early April. Fall planting is possible in zones 7-9 but spring planting allows better root establishment before the first winter.

Do Kiowa blackberries need full sun to produce well?▼

Yes, Kiowa requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruit production and flavor development. Insufficient light leads to reduced yields, smaller berries, and increased disease susceptibility. In extremely hot climates (zone 9), some afternoon shade can prevent berry sunscald without significantly impacting production.

How do you prune Kiowa thornless blackberries?▼

Prune Kiowa in late winter by completely removing all brown floricanes (previous year's fruiting canes) at ground level. Keep 4-6 of the strongest new primocanes per plant. During summer, tip primocanes at 36 inches height to encourage lateral branching and increase fruiting sites for the following year.