Do Blackberries Grow in Northern California?

Features

• Common wild blackberries are thorny, invasive tangling vines. They spread rapidly, often choking out native plants and blocking streams. These pesky plants can cover an acre in five years. As old vines die, they provide dry tinder for Northern California wildfires. Domestic blackberries grow on canes and are easily managed in home gardens.

Uses

• Blackberry vines provide wildlife shelter and food. Coveys of California quail thrive in the tangled vine mounds. Deer, pheasant, rabbits and other animals eat the sweet berries and seeds. People pick the summer-ripe berries as the fruit is tasty either fresh or cooked.

Considerations

• Choose varieties other than Himalayan for your home garden. Thornless blackberries grow well in the mild Northern California climate. Vining blackberries can provide habitat for undesirable pests such as rats and skunks.