Hybrid

Triple Crown Blackberry

Rubus 'Triple Crown'

Living up to its royal name, Triple Crown delivers the perfect trifecta of thornless canes, exceptional fruit quality, and outstanding disease resistance. This semi-erect variety produces large, sweet blackberries with seeds so small they're barely noticeable, making every bite pure pleasure. Developed at the University of Arkansas, it's become the go-to choice for gardeners who want premium blackberries without the painful thorns.

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Triple Crown Blackberry in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Triple Crown Blackberry · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing4-6 feet apart in rows

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, deep watering preferred

SeasonPerennial, late summer harvest

FlavorVery sweet with low acidity, small soft seeds, rich blackberry flavor

ColorGlossy jet black

SizeLarge, up to 1 inch long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	June – October
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 Triple Crown blackberries store exceptionally well compared to thorny varieties. Keep unwashed berries in the refrigerator for up to one week in shallow containers lined with paper towels, which absorb excess moisture. Don't wash until ready to eat, as moisture accelerates spoilage.

For freezing, spread berries on baking sheets and freeze individually before transferring to freezer bags—this prevents clumping and maintains their shape for smoothies and baking. Triple Crown's low seed content makes them ideal for seedless jams and jellies. Their balanced sweetness also creates excellent wine with minimal added sugar. Dehydrated Triple Crown berries retain more flavor than most varieties due to their naturally concentrated sugars and reduced acidity.

History & Origin

Triple Crown was developed by Dr. John Clark at the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1996 as part of their acclaimed breeding program. This variety emerged from a cross between Arkansas 1506 (a thornless selection) and Arkansas 1565, specifically bred to combine the thornless trait with superior fruit quality and disease resistance.

The Arkansas program has been the leading force in thornless blackberry development since the 1960s, and Triple Crown represents a significant milestone—the first variety to truly deliver commercial-quality fruit without thorns. Its name reflects the three key breeding objectives: thornless canes, excellent fruit quality, and strong disease resistance.

The variety quickly gained popularity among home gardeners and small-scale commercial growers who had long struggled with the painful thorns of traditional varieties. Triple Crown's success helped establish consumer acceptance of thornless blackberries and paved the way for newer Arkansas releases like Ouachita and Prime-Ark 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 improves soil health around berry plants

Garlic

Deters various pests including spider mites and aphids that commonly affect blackberries

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests while attracting beneficial insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface and leaves make excellent mulch for blackberries

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and various insects that can damage blackberry plants

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Strawberries

Share similar growing conditions and soil preferences without competing heavily

Mint

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

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to blackberries and inhibits their growth

Raspberries

Share similar diseases and pests, increasing risk of anthracnose and cane blight

Tomatoes

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, good resistance to orange rust

Common Pests

Spotted wing drosophila, aphids, raspberry crown borer, Japanese beetles

Diseases

Cane blight, verticillium wilt, rosette disease in some regions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Triple Crown blackberry take to produce fruit?▼

Triple Crown produces its first crop in the second year after planting. First-year canes (primocanes) focus on establishing roots and growing, while second-year canes (floricanes) flower and fruit. Peak production typically occurs in years 3-4, with plants remaining productive for 10-15 years with proper care.

Can you grow Triple Crown blackberries in containers?▼

Yes, Triple Crown grows well in large containers (minimum 20-25 gallons) with excellent drainage. Use a high-quality potting mix amended with compost and provide sturdy support stakes. Container plants need more frequent watering and feeding, and may require winter protection in zones 5-6. Expect slightly smaller yields than ground-planted specimens.

What does Triple Crown blackberry taste like?▼

Triple Crown offers exceptionally sweet flavor with low acidity and a rich, classic blackberry taste. The seeds are remarkably small and soft, making eating more pleasant than seedy varieties. The balanced sweetness makes them excellent for fresh eating and reduces the need for added sugar in jams and desserts.

When should I plant Triple Crown blackberry?▼

Plant Triple Crown in early spring, 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. This timing allows roots to establish before hot weather arrives. Fall planting works in zones 7-9 but requires winter protection for young plants. Avoid planting during hot summer months or when soil is frozen or waterlogged.

Is Triple Crown blackberry good for beginners?▼

Yes, Triple Crown is excellent for beginners due to its thornless canes, strong disease resistance, and forgiving nature. The lack of thorns makes pruning and harvesting much easier for new gardeners. However, it does require basic trellising and annual pruning, so complete beginners should research these techniques before planting.

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

Both are thornless Arkansas varieties, but Apache ripens earlier (mid-summer) and has more erect growth requiring less support. Triple Crown has larger berries with better flavor and longer shelf life, but ripens later. Apache handles heat better, while Triple Crown has superior cold tolerance. Choose Apache for earlier harvest, Triple Crown for better fruit quality.