Dorman Red Organic Garden Blackberry

The Blackberry or Rubus (x) fruticosus Dorman Red from Organic Farming is a variety of thorny bush that produces large, round and shiny fruits, light red in colour. They resemble raspberries in appearance, but their flavour is said to be closer to that of blackberries found in our countryside, although less aromatic. Their flesh is pleasantly tart. It is a productive variety, not very demanding in terms of soil, resistant to diseases and drought. Its long stems require trellising. It can be planted from autumn to spring, excluding very cold periods. Harvesting begins in July.

The Dorman Red blackberry is a bush with long, flexible branches covered with small spines like raspberry canes. It is a very hardy plant, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F). Its toothed and spiny leaves are fairly dark green from spring to summer, then turn yellow-orange in autumn before falling. This variety is the result of hybridisation between Rubus parvifolius, the fragrant blackberry, and the raspberry R.idaeus Dorsett. This Dorman Red Organic variety blooms in spring and summer, with small white and pink flowers, which then transform into round berries that are slightly flattened. The blackberries can be consumed fresh after harvesting or enjoyed in jams, jellies, ice creams, and in pastries (pies, muffins, etc.). Harvesting takes place in summer and early autumn. The fruits are ripe when they easily detach from their support. Although the varieties are self-fertile, it is advisable to plant at least 2 plants to improve fruiting, spacing them 2 metres (7 feet) apart.

In the garden, it is necessary to provide support for trellising: a fence, a trellis, a wall, or a fence on which horizontal wires will be stretched. Indeed, the canes, whether trailing or erect, will reach approximately 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) in length. Rest assured, cultivated blackberries produce many suckers at the base, but they are much less invasive than wild blackberries.

Blackberries can be planted in different areas of the garden. Trellising on a shallow depth allows for the creation of a small edible hedge or can be cultivated in isolation, bordering the vegetable garden, orchard or ornamental garden.

The blackberry bush, which produces garden blackberries, is sometimes confused with the mulberry tree, a tree that grows 5 to 10 metres (16 to 33 feet) tall. The blackberry belongs to the Rosaceae family, while the mulberry, whether white or black, belongs to the Moraceae family.