Rubus Watson 'Black Satin'

Black Satin Blackberry is a medium-sized shrub that is typically grown for its edible qualities. It produces large clusters of navy blue oval berries with black overtones which are usually ready for picking in mid summer. The berries have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

Features & Attributes

Black Satin Blackberry has rich green deciduous foliage on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The fuzzy oval compound leaves do not develop any appreciable fall colour. It features an abundance of magnificent navy blue berries with black overtones in mid summer.

This is an open multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep. Each spring, cut back all dead and two-year old canes to the ground, leaving only last year's growth standing. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard.

Planting & Growing

Black Satin Blackberry will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This plant is typically grown in a designated edibles garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.