Hybrid

Natchez Thornless Blackberry

Rubus species 'Natchez'

The earliest ripening thornless blackberry variety, producing huge, sweet berries up to two weeks before other cultivars. Developed by the University of Arkansas, Natchez offers exceptional flavor, impressive berry size, and vigorous disease-resistant canes that make harvesting a pleasure without thorns.

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 Natchez Thornless Blackberry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 berry →

Zone Map

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Natchez Thornless Blackberry · Zones 6–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing4-6 feet

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter

pH5.5-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week during fruiting season

SeasonPerennial canes, plant spring or fall

FlavorSweet with low acidity, rich blackberry flavor and firm texture

ColorDeep black with glossy finish

SizeVery large, 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

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 Natchez berries keep best when stored unwashed in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity. Line shallow containers with paper towels and don't stack berries more than two layers deep. Under ideal conditions, they'll maintain quality for 5-7 days, longer than most blackberry varieties.

For freezing, wash gently and pat dry completely before spreading on baking sheets. Freeze individually before transferring to containers - this prevents clumping. Natchez's firm texture makes it excellent for whole-berry applications after thawing. The berries also excel in jam-making due to their natural pectin content and balanced sweetness. Their low acidity means you'll need to add lemon juice when canning to ensure safe pH levels. Dehydrated Natchez berries retain their sweetness well and make excellent additions to trail mixes.

History & Origin

Natchez was developed by Dr. John Clark and the University of Arkansas fruit breeding program, released in 2007 as part of their ongoing mission to create superior thornless blackberry varieties for commercial and home production. The university's blackberry breeding program, established in 1964, has produced numerous award-winning cultivars by crossing selected wild Arkansas blackberries with cultivated varieties.

Natchez emerged from crosses involving 'Ark. 1506' and 'APF-12', combining the best traits of both parents: exceptional earliness, large berry size, and thornless canes. Named after the historic Mississippi River city, Natchez was specifically bred to extend the blackberry harvest season by ripening significantly earlier than existing varieties. The University of Arkansas program has revolutionized blackberry production in the Southern United States, with their varieties now grown commercially across multiple continents. Natchez quickly gained popularity among both commercial growers and home gardeners for its reliability and exceptional fruit quality in hot, humid climates where traditional blackberries often struggle.

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

Garlic

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other pests while improving soil health

Chives

Deters aphids and Japanese beetles, attracts beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects for pest control

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and fertilizer

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects

Borage

Attracts pollinators, may improve fruit flavor, and repels hornworms

Tansy

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

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and improves soil health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill blackberry plants

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most nearby plants including berries

Brassicas

Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt blackberry growth and production

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 disease resistance, tolerates heat and humidity well

Common Pests

Japanese beetle, aphids, spider mites, cane borers

Diseases

Anthracnose, cane blight, orange rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Natchez blackberry take to produce fruit?▼

Natchez blackberry plants typically produce their first small crop in the second year after planting, with full production beginning in the third year. The plants fruit on second-year canes (floricanes), so first-year growth focuses on establishing strong canes that will bear fruit the following season.

Can you grow Natchez blackberries in containers?▼

Yes, Natchez can grow in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) with proper support. Use a high-quality potting mix with excellent drainage, install a trellis system, and expect more frequent watering. Container plants may produce smaller yields and require winter protection in colder zones.

What zones can grow Natchez blackberries?▼

Natchez blackberries thrive in USDA zones 6-9, with optimal performance in zones 7-8. They handle heat and humidity exceptionally well, making them ideal for the southeastern United States. In zone 6, provide winter mulch protection, while zone 9 growers should ensure adequate water during hot summers.

When should I plant Natchez blackberry bushes?▼

Plant Natchez blackberry canes in early spring, 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. This timing allows roots to establish before summer heat arrives. Fall planting is possible in zones 7-9, giving plants more time to establish before their first growing season.

How big do Natchez blackberry bushes get?▼

Natchez blackberry canes typically reach 5-6 feet tall and spread 3-4 feet wide at maturity. Without proper pruning and trellising, they can spread wider through underground runners. Regular pruning and sucker removal keeps plants manageable while maximizing fruit production.

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

Natchez blackberries are notably sweet with low acidity, creating a rich, well-balanced blackberry flavor. They're less tart than many wild blackberries and have a firm texture that holds up well fresh or cooked. Many consider them superior to Triple Crown and Apache varieties for fresh eating.