Blackberry varieties for Kansas

8 years ago

I recently got some very helpful advice here as to raspberry varieties that do well in Kansas. What would you all recommend I plant for blackberries?

Technically, we are considered to be zone 6a, but I want to avoid varieties that are not winter hardy for zone 5b or colder.

I am currently growing Prime-Jan and Arapaho.

thanks!

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Comments (4)

clarkinks
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If it were me i would grow a thorny variety such as Shawnee or Kiowa. The thorny varities are much hardier than the thornless types. We have droughts, heavy rains , soil that holds water, high winds, hot sun, and cold winters. The thornless varieties will survive but never thrive in Kansas unless your in the city.
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clarkinks
8 years ago
Nourse is a very good berry splant supplier and here is another good company https://indianaberry.com/info_blkberry_variety.php
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Thanks, I was looking at Arapaho and am getting somewhat confused about it's zone. Gurney's lists it as good in zone 5, Stark Brothers says only good till zone 6. Somewhere else said it's okay for zone 4. I'll look into the others. I'm zone 5b. I forgot it doesn't put that by the posts anymore.
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clarkinks
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
In your particular unique situation I would even stesr clear of the Kiowa or Shawnee because even though they are zone 5 technically they are m.ore like zone 6 meaning they won't die in zone 5 but there will be years you won't get berries. You might go with an even hardier variety resistant to some of the challenges you have such as illini hardy http://noursefarms.com/blackberry-plants/illini_hardy/ or https://indianaberry.com/products/details/320/CONTAINER_GROWN_BLACKBERRY_ILLINI_HARDY
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KSprairie
Original Author
8 years ago
Clarkinks-. Thank you so much for the links and advice. I really appreciate it! I don't want to put time and resources into plants that won't thrive. When I read nursery descriptions, it sounds like most varieties are great choices, but I know that is not the case. I had wanted thornless (of course!!) but according to your advice and if my own few plants are any indication, the thorned plants are MUCH hardier.

We have droughts, heavy rains , soil that holds water, high winds, hot sun, and cold winters.

I had to chuckle at your description. Kinda makes you wonder why anyone wants to live here!! But God made a beautiful place when he made Kansas. I do love it here. Over time and with help, I hope to figure out what will thrive here and what won't. I am always encouraged by the success others share here, and in more harsh environments than ours.

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Blackberry varieties for Kansas

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clarkinks

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Blackberry varieties for Kansas

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KSprairieOriginal Author

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