It is one of the fastest growing plants that lives in forests. It is so invasive that it can grow up to 7 and a half centimeters in just one day. Despite this, and the thorns that cover its stems, it is highly appreciated by many animals, such as birds and, also, humans. His name is blackberry.
Normally, we would not advise you to have a plant of these in the garden, but the reality is that its fruits are so delicious, that you can always choose to cover walls that are next to the streets, using them as well as edible, also as protection.
The blackberry, whose scientific name is rubus fruticosus, is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 2 meters in height, but whose thorny stems can extend a few meters (3-4 meters). The leaves have a serrated edge, and are dark green on the upper surface and greyish on the underside. The flowers are white or pink, and are about 2 cm in diameter. And the fruit, undoubtedly the most attractive of this plant, is around 2cm tall, black when ripe. These have a very pleasant acid taste, and have the peculiarity that they can be consumed raw.
It withstands frosts of up to -15ºC, and can grow in all types of terrain. In addition, it does not require any special care as I will tell you below.
To have a blackberry in perfect condition, you just have to take into account the following:
- Location: outdoors, in full sun or semi-shade.
- Irrigation: rare, drought resistant. Water 2 or 3 times a week in summer, and once a week the rest of the year.
- Subscriber: it is not necessary, although if you want it can be paid during the warm months with organic fertilizers.
- Pruning- Stems can be trimmed as needed throughout the growing season.
- Pests and diseases: It's very tough.
- Harvest: in autumn the fruits will be ready to be consumed.
What did you think of the blackberry?