Rubus fruticosus Direttissima Montblanc - Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus 'Direttissima Montblanc' Garden Blackberry is a robust, hardy and very vigorous fruit undershrub, with semi-rigid thorny branches. In May-June, it produces small white melliferous flowers on the current year's shoots. Large black fruits follow the flowers. The fruits are juicy and delicious with a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavours. Very generous from mid-August to autumn, the fruits are a delight to enjoy fresh or in coulis, jellies, jams, pies, and fruit salads. Recommended planting in autumn or spring for regions with cold or humid winters.

Rubus belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is native to the mountains of the Caucasus in Asia Minor. This genus has diversified over time and has given rise to several subgenera, including the raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and the common blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). This latter genus has many subspecies with differences in size, colour, and acidity of the fruit. In Europe and America, this berry has been consumed for about 2000 years. Rubus fruticosus is more commonly known as bramble or wild blackberry. It is a climbing liana that can measure 5m (16ft) in width and more, with stems generally equipped with thorns. It is present in many temperate regions of the world, where it is often considered an invasive plant.

Rubus fruticosus 'Direttissima Montblanc’ is a climbing perennial plant with a semi-shrubby and bushy habit. The branches reach 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) in length, and the stump can occupy 0.5 to 1m (2 to 3ft) on the ground. The foliage is deciduous, falling in autumn. It is bright green in colour, composed of small, cut and toothed leaves, with visible veins, very similar to raspberry leaves. The stems are thorny. Fruiting occurs on the current year's branches, so it is important to renew them each year by pruning the plant to 15cm (6in) above the ground. From the first year, from May to June, the abundant and melliferous flowering displays numerous small, white, single, cup-shaped flowers, 1.5 to 2 cm (1in) in diameter, grouped in clusters. The forming fruits are composed of drupes agglutinated to the receptacle. They are much larger than those of wild blackberries. They are red then black and shiny when ripe. They must be picked when fully black, when they are sweet and tangy, juicy and flavourful.

'Direttissima Montblanc' Blackberry fruits abundantly from mid-August to October, offering the advantage of a staggered harvest for many gustatory uses. The blackberry is a delicate fruit that must be carefully picked. Rinse with water and keep them in the refrigerator. Harvesting is easy and it is very enjoyable either to taste the fruits on the spot or to pick them for many culinary uses: jellies, jams, sorbets, coulis, syrups, juices, tiramisu, crumble, and puddings... not to mention the famous blackberry pie! Low in calories, but rich in minerals (manganese, iron, potassium), vitamins C and K, fibres, and antioxidants, the blackberry contributes to a good nutritional balance.

Hardy to -20°C (-4°F) and easy to grow, 'Direttissima Montblanc' Blackberry is satisfied with ordinary soil, with a preference for fertile, moist but well-drained soils. It is unnecessary to trellis it since at the end of winter, all the stems will be pruned to 15cm (6in) above the ground. A good mulching at the beginning of summer can be beneficial to prevent soil drying out.