Blackberry
rubus fruticosus
Botanical Name: Rubus fruticosus
Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
What We're Growing:
We grow thornless blackberry canes that produce rich, dark berries in early summer. Trained along trellises, they’re generous producers and natural showstoppers — offering fruit, flowers, and foliage with purpose.
How We Use Them:
We use blackberries in compotes, salads, baked goods, herbal teas, and honestly mostly just fresh from the vine. Their sweet-tart flavor pairs beautifully with lemon, honey, herbs, and cultured cream. We also harvest young leaves to dry for tea.
Why They’re Good for You:
Blackberries are rich in anthocyanins — deep purple pigments with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. They're also high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese, supporting immune health, bone density, and tissue repair.
Their high fiber content feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports blood sugar balance, while their natural polyphenols have been studied for protective effects against cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. Blackberry leaf, traditionally used in herbal medicine, has gentle astringent and antimicrobial properties — often brewed as a digestive tonic or sore throat tea.
In the Garden:
Blackberries thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, with deep roots that improve soil structure and erosion control. Trellising improves airflow and makes harvesting easier. With pruning and care, each cane will fruit abundantly in its second year.
Fun Fact:
In traditional European herbalism, blackberry leaf tea was used to treat diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and even swollen gums — prized for its tannins and natural antimicrobial activity.