BLACKBERRIES

theSe are no longer the preserve of the wild hedgerows, as thornless varieties provide gardeners with delicious fruit without any pain.

Fruits appear from late July to September, and plants require soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. thornless varieties can be grown over arches, up trellis or fences, or attached to wires tensioned between stout posts. Prune out old canes that have fruited to encourage production of vigorous new canes.

‘ Oregon thornless’ has medium-sized fruits with a mild flavour and thorn-free stems. ‘Merton thornless’ bears large, good-flavoured fruits on short, thornless canes.