Triple Crown Thornless Blackberry is a cold-hardy cultivar that thrives where other blackberries fail, producing massive yields of large, glossy black fruit from July through early August. Hardy in zones 5-9, this vigorous grower can yield up to 30 pounds of intensely sweet berries per plant, making it the most productive thornless blackberry available. The semi-erect canes grow without thorns, reaching 48-60 inches tall and spreading 36-48 inches wide, and take 2-3 years to reach full bearing capacity. Whether eaten fresh, baked into pies, or preserved as jelly, these berries deliver superb flavor with just enough tartness to balance the sweetness.
72
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
60in H x 48in W
—
High
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This cultivar stands alone for sheer productivity in cold climates, yielding 30 pounds of large, shiny black fruit per mature plant. The thornless canes make picking effortless compared to thorny varieties, and the fruit sets uniformly across the plant, so you're not hunting through tangled canes for ripe berries. Flavor is remarkably balanced, sweet with a pleasant tartness that works equally well fresh or in baking. Small seeds compared to wild blackberries add to the eating experience, and the berries are notably firm and glossy, making them ideal for both home gardens and commercial pick-your-own operations.
Triple Crown berries shine both fresh off the cane and in the kitchen. Their balanced sweet-tart profile makes them exceptional for pies, jams, and baked goods where you want flavor depth rather than simple sweetness. They excel in juice and jelly production, and the firm texture means they hold their shape beautifully whether you're making preserves or using them as toppings for desserts and breakfast dishes.
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Plant dormant canes in early spring (after the last frost in your zone) or fall. Choose a location with full sun exposure and well-draining soil. Space plants 72 inches apart to accommodate their vigorous growth and allow room for cane management.
Triple Crown berries ripen in July and early August, turning deep glossy black as they reach peak sweetness. Wait until the fruit is fully black and yields slightly to gentle pressure before picking; berries picked too early will lack sweetness. The thornless canes and uniform fruit set mean you can move quickly through the plant, harvesting ripe berries every few days as they mature. Pick in the morning when berries are cool and firm.
Triple Crown's semi-erect canes grow vigorously and can reach 15 feet in length, so annual pruning is essential for manageability and airflow. After harvest in late summer, remove the canes that just fruited, cutting them to the ground. In spring, thin the new canes to select the healthiest growth, spacing them 8-12 inches apart along your support structure. You can also cut canes to 4-5 feet in height to control their sprawl, which encourages bushier lateral growth and easier picking.
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