Columbia Star is a thornless blackberry bred for gardeners who want all the flavor without the prickles. Hardy in zones 7 through 9, this cultivar grows to a manageable 6 feet tall, making it far easier to harvest and prune than its spiny cousins. It thrives in full sun and blooms in midseason, producing blackberries that reward the minimal fuss required to grow it. The thornless canes alone set it apart for home landscapes, but Columbia Star also performs beautifully in maritime climates where other blackberries struggle.
Full Sun
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7-9
72in H x ?in W
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High
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The thornless canes make this blackberry genuinely pleasant to work with, a relief if you've ever wrestled with traditional varieties. At 6 feet, it stays compact enough for most home gardens while still producing generously. Columbia Star actually outperforms the closely related Marionberry in cold tolerance, surviving temperatures well below 10°F, which means gardeners in zone 7 can rely on consistent harvests year after year.
Columbia Star blackberries are excellent fresh off the vine, where their full flavor shines. They also work beautifully in jams, preserves, pies, and baked goods. The thornless canes make harvesting simple enough that even inexperienced gardeners can pick berries without injury, opening up this fruit to a wider range of growers.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant dormant canes in early spring or fall, choosing a location with full sun exposure. Set plants so the crown sits just at soil level, not buried deeper. Space them 4 to 6 feet apart in rows if you're planting multiple plants. Water thoroughly at planting and keep the soil consistently moist through the first growing season.
Blackberries are ready to pick when they turn completely black and feel slightly soft to the touch. In a maritime climate, this typically happens in midsummer, though exact timing varies by year and location. Pick berries in the early morning when they're cool and firm; they'll soften further as the day warms. Eat them fresh immediately, or refrigerate within a few hours for storage.
Prune Columbia Star in late winter or early spring while the canes are still dormant. Remove any dead or diseased wood, cutting it out completely at the base. The thornless canes are much easier to handle than traditional blackberries, so pruning is less of an ordeal. Thin out crowded canes to improve air circulation and direct the plant's energy toward fruit production rather than excessive vegetative growth.
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