‘Triple Crown’ is a new Blackberry that will bear consistent huge fruit yields year after year. Fruits ripen to a juicy sweet flavor; over a 5-week period you can harvest and enjoy eating the large black beauties every day for over 30 days. The plant is semi-erect and thornless and bears large, flavorful fruit. These strong canes can support many pounds of fruit without trellising. ‘Triple Crown’ would be a good choice to help extend the blackberry season for home gardeners. They grow successfully in Zones 5-9.

‘Triple Crown’ is a joint release from the USDA-Beltsville and the Pacific West Agricultural Research Service. Early trials indicate that it may ripen earlier than ‘Chester’ and is similar to ‘Chester’ in winter hardiness. ‘Triple Crown’ is best grown in moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It is intolerant of wet soils and raised beds should be considered in areas with heavy clay soils. Plants are perennial but canes are biennial. For established shrubs, tip-prune new vegetative (non-fruiting) canes in summer. Immediately after fruit harvest, remove all canes that fruited to the ground. In late winter to early spring, remove any canes damaged by winter and thin the remaining canes to 4 or 5 strong, well-spaced canes plus trim the laterals thereof. Plants generally perform best when staked.

Availability

#	Description	Qty per Unit	Units Available	Price/Unit
Bulk
BL160BAG	Blackberry 'Triple Crown' (Thornless)	25	25	$110.00

Triple Crown blackberries in a wicker basket with a few leaves

Plant Details +

Botanical	Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown'
Family	Rosaceae
Size	1 YR #1
Height	3-5'
Spacing	3-5'
Hardiness	Zones 5-9
Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Foliage	Green
Fruit	Large, deep blue to black
Harvest	August - September

Planting/Care Instructions +

Planting Instructions: May be planted in any well-drained soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the roots meet the stem) is about 1-2" below the soil surface. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Roots are shallow – don't cultivate more than an inch deep. Fertilize at planting and again in late spring. Choose a sunny site in your garden with good air circulation, water drainage, and a pH of 6.0-7.0. Keep roots moist until planting. Work plenty of organic matter into the soil and mulch to keep out weeds. Plant as soon as the soil has warmed. Trim canes to encourage new growth. Plants should be set out at least 2 feet apart in rows 7 feet apart. Trellising is beneficial for cane support. These summer-bearing berries produce fruit on second year canes (floricanes). In the fall of the 2nd year, prune spent canes at ground level and thin others to approximately 4 canes per foot of row. Cut off suckers which grow outside of rows. Trim remaining blackberry canes to 7 feet.

Pests or Diseases: 'Triple Crown' blackberry plants can experience anthracnose, botrytis and verticillium wilt. Cane borers and crown borers are potential insect pests.