Mur fara spini, aroma intensa - Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown'

Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown' is a thornless blackberry cultivar from the Rosaceae family, renowned for its large, black, sweet fruits and intense aroma. Developed in the USA by USDA-ARS, this variety is valued for its high productivity, disease resistance, and lack of thorns, which makes harvesting easier. It is ideal for fruit gardens, borders, or large pots, perfect for fresh consumption, jams, juices, or desserts.

Appearance of leaves, flowers, and fruits

• Leaves: The leaves are compound, with 3-5 ovate leaflets, serrated edges, dark green, with a slightly rough texture. The foliage is deciduous, falling in winter, and forms a dense background for the fruits.
• Flowers: The flowers are white, large, with 5 petals, grouped in clusters, appearing in May-June. They are attractive to pollinators, especially bees.
• Fruits: The fruits are large (6-8 g) compound drupes, glossy black, with a round-conical shape. They have a very sweet taste with a subtle tart note and a rich aroma. The main harvest occurs in July-August, providing an abundant yield of up to 5-6 kg per bush.

Growth characteristics

• Height and width: Reaches 1.2-1.8 m in height and 1-1.5 m in width, forming a semi-erect shrub with thornless stems that require support (trellis or fence) to hold the weight of the fruits.
• Vigor: Rapid growth, with vigorous stems and excellent productivity. Produces few shoots, reducing the need for thinning.
• Type: Deciduous perennial shrub, non-remontant, with a single annual harvest.

Growing conditions

• Exposure: Prefers full sun (6-8 hours/day) for maximum fruiting. Tolerates partial shade but produces fewer fruits.
• Soil: Grows in fertile, well-drained soils with slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-6.5). Add compost or well-rotted manure at planting.
• Watering: Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during fruit formation. Water deeply during dry periods.
• Temperature: Hardy in zones 5-8 (down to -23°C), suitable for temperate climates, including Romania. Mulch roots in winter for extra protection.

Care and resistance

• Resistance: Resistant to cold and diseases such as anthracnose or rust. May be affected by aphids or mites; treat with insecticidal soap. Tolerates moderate drought and wind.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring and a potassium-rich fertilizer in summer for fruiting. Avoid excess nitrogen.
• Pruning: Cut stems that have fruited immediately after harvest (August) down to the ground and remove weak or damaged branches in spring. Keep 5-7 healthy stems per bush.
• Propagation: Propagated by root cuttings, layering, or dividing bushes in spring.

Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown' is ideal for fruit gardens, borders, or large pots. Its black, sweet fruits are excellent for fresh consumption, jams, juices, cakes, or freezing. It pairs well with other berries or low plants like lavender and attracts pollinators, contributing to biodiversity.

Origin

Rubus fruticosus is native to Europe and Asia. The 'Triple Crown' Blackberry cultivar, developed by USDA-ARS, is selected for large fruits, thornlessness, and disease resistance, being popular in horticulture in North America and Europe.

Height including pot: approx. 25-40 cm

Pot size: 11-14 cm or 2l

Plants for garden or terrace are grown in unprotected spaces or with minimal protection (shade nets or hail nets). For this reason, naturally, they may not have perfect foliage - leaves may show marks, defects, or other damage. During the cold season, plants enter a period of dormancy.