Twilight Thornless Blackberry is a modern Oregon-bred cultivar that combines the best traits of eastern and western blackberry genetics without a single thorn to slow you down. These large, firm berries arrive early in the season with an unusual fragrance and a complex jam flavor touched by honey notes that surprise and delight fresh and preserved. Hardy from zones 4 through 9, this thornless variety grows 4 to 6 feet tall and outperforms established cultivars like Chester and Triple Crown in both vigor and yield, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking superior cold tolerance alongside effortless handling.
Full Sun
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4-9
72in H x ?in W
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High
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Bred at Oregon State University and released under USPP30879P2, Twilight Thornless stands out for its exceptional cold hardiness combined with early ripening that catches many blackberry seasons before peak summer heat. The berries themselves are remarkably firm despite their size, a trait rarely paired with the fragrance and honey-touched flavor this variety delivers. For anyone who's fought thorns or waited weeks for conventional blackberries to ripen, this cultivar offers both convenience and genuine flavor complexity.
Twilight Thornless blackberries shine in fresh eating and jam making, where their firm texture holds shape through cooking and their honey-inflected flavor deepens beautifully when reduced. The absence of thorns makes them particularly appealing for families with children and for growers who want to harvest without protective gear or the slow, frustrating process of working around prickles.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant canes in early spring or fall, spacing them 3 to 4 feet apart along a support structure or trellis. Ensure the planting hole is wide enough to accommodate the root system without crowding, and set plants at the same depth they grew in the nursery. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture through the first growing season as roots establish.
Pick berries in early July when they turn fully black and feel slightly soft but still hold their shape when gently squeezed. Unlike some blackberries that require coaxing from the cane, Twilight berries release cleanly when ripe. Harvest every two to three days during peak season to encourage continued flowering and catch berries at peak flavor, as they lose flavor if left on the plant too long. The thornless canes make repeated harvest trips genuinely pleasant rather than an ordeal.
Prune out dead or damaged canes in early spring before growth begins. Remove weak growth and thin remaining canes to prevent overcrowding, which reduces air circulation and invites disease. After fruiting, selectively remove older canes that produced the previous year's berries, leaving vigorous new growth to fruit the following season. Twilight Thornless' strong growth habit benefits from firm pruning to maintain shape and redirect energy into fruit production rather than excessive vegetative growth.
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“Twilight Thornless emerged from deliberate breeding work at Oregon State University, combining genetics from 'Ouachita' and the experimental line 'ORUS 2867-4' to create a plant that bridges eastern and western blackberry traits. The result earned Plant Variety Protection (USPP30879P2), reflecting the innovation required to achieve the combination of thornlessness, early ripening, cold tolerance, and vigorous growth that distinguish it from earlier thornless selections. This cultivar represents the modern direction of blackberry improvement: removing obstacles to easy harvest while strengthening the plant's ability to thrive in varied climates.”