Hybrid

Ouachita Thornless Blackberry

Rubus 'Ouachita'

A premium thornless blackberry that produces exceptionally large, sweet berries with outstanding flavor and firm texture. Developed by the University of Arkansas, this erect variety offers excellent disease resistance and consistent heavy yields without the hassle of thorns. Ouachita's berries maintain their quality longer than most varieties, making them perfect for fresh market sales or extended harvest enjoyment.

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

6–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy to 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 Ouachita Thornless Blackberry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 berry →

Zone Map

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Ouachita Thornless Blackberry · Zones 6–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing3-4 feet apart

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH5.8-6.8

Water1-2 inches per week, deep watering

SeasonPerennial, plant in spring or fall

FlavorSweet with balanced tartness, rich blackberry flavor

ColorDeep black with glossy finish

SizeLarge to very large

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 Ouachita berries store exceptionally well compared to other blackberry varieties. Keep unwashed berries in the refrigerator in a shallow container lined with paper towels, where they'll maintain quality for 5-7 days at 32-35°F. Don't wash until ready to use, as moisture accelerates spoilage.

For freezing, arrange clean berries in a single layer on baking sheets and freeze solid before transferring to bags—this prevents clumping. Frozen Ouachita berries retain their firm texture better than most varieties. The high sugar content and firm flesh also make them excellent for jam-making, requiring less added pectin than softer varieties. Their superior shipping quality means they hold up well to water bath canning for preserves and pie fillings.

History & Origin

Ouachita was developed by Dr. John Clark at the University of Arkansas Fruit Research Station and released in 2003 as part of their ambitious blackberry breeding program. Named after Arkansas's Ouachita Mountains, this variety was bred specifically to combine the large berry size and excellent flavor of thorny varieties with the convenience of thornless canes.

The breeding program aimed to create commercial-quality thornless blackberries that could compete with traditional thorny varieties in both yield and fruit quality. Ouachita was selected from thousands of seedlings over nearly a decade of testing. It represents a significant breakthrough in thornless blackberry development, as earlier thornless varieties often sacrificed fruit quality for convenience. The University of Arkansas has become renowned for their blackberry innovations, with Ouachita joining other successful releases like Triple Crown and Apache in revolutionizing home and commercial blackberry growing.

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

Tansy

Repels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial insects

Chives

Deters aphids and Japanese beetles, improves soil health

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent fungal diseases common in blackberries

Marigold

Repels nematodes and attracts beneficial predatory insects

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial insects and may improve fruit flavor through companion planting

Comfrey

Deep taproot brings nutrients to surface, excellent mulch and fertilizer source

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters squash bugs

Mint

Repels rodents and ants, but should be contained to prevent spreading

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill blackberry plants

Potato

Shares common diseases like verticillium wilt and attracts similar pests

Tomato

Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases and may compete for nutrients

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

Excellent resistance to anthracnose and stem blight

Common Pests

Spotted wing drosophila, aphids, spider mites, cane borers

Diseases

Orange rust, crown gall, rosette (double blossom)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Ouachita blackberry to produce fruit?▼

Ouachita blackberry plants typically produce their first crop in the second year after planting. First-year canes (primocanes) focus on establishing strong root systems and vegetative growth. These canes overwinter and become floricanes in year two, producing flowers and fruit from July through August. Peak production usually occurs by the third or fourth year.

Can you grow Ouachita blackberries in containers?▼

Yes, Ouachita can be grown in large containers at least 20 gallons in size. Use a well-draining potting mix with added compost, and ensure containers have adequate drainage holes. Container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizing than ground-planted berries. Choose dwarf or compact varieties for smaller spaces, though Ouachita's erect habit makes it more suitable for containers than trailing types.

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

Ouachita offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness with rich, complex blackberry flavor. The berries are notably sweeter than many commercial varieties while retaining enough acidity for bright flavor. They're less tart than wild blackberries but more flavorful than overly sweet varieties. The large size and firm texture provide a satisfying eating experience with excellent juice content.

When should I plant Ouachita blackberry plants?▼

Plant bare root Ouachita canes in late winter to early spring while they're still dormant, typically February through April depending on your location. Container-grown plants can be planted from spring through early fall, but spring planting allows better root establishment before winter. Avoid planting during hot summer months or when ground is frozen.

Is Ouachita blackberry good for beginners?▼

Yes, Ouachita is excellent for beginning gardeners. The thornless canes make maintenance safe and easy, while the erect growth habit requires minimal trellising compared to trailing varieties. It has good disease resistance and consistent production. The main requirements are full sun, well-drained soil, and basic annual pruning—all manageable for novice fruit growers.

Ouachita vs Triple Crown blackberry - what's the difference?▼

Ouachita produces larger, firmer berries with better storage quality, while Triple Crown yields more berries per plant. Ouachita ripens earlier (mid-season) versus Triple Crown's late-season harvest. Ouachita has an erect growth habit requiring less support, while Triple Crown is semi-erect and benefits from trellising. Both are thornless with excellent flavor, but Ouachita is generally considered superior for fresh market quality.