Which Thornless Blackberry Plants Have Pink Flowers?

Black Satin

• Introduced in 1958, Black Satin's pink flowers turn into large, tart-sweet blackberries by mid-July. This semi-erect, thornless plant is self-pollinating, but flowers and resulting fruit may be more prolific planted near a second variety. Hardy in zones 6 through 9, Black Satin grows 4 to 5 feet tall and spreads 4 feet or more. Black Satin has deep green foliage that provides pleasing contrast to the small pink flowers. Plant in full sun in sandy loam soil or soil with good drainage.

Chester

• The large, sweet fruit of Chester blackberry is ready to eat in August. The plant begins flowering in July, and some fruit may be ready by the end of the month. Chester is a semi-trailing, winter-hardy blackberry suitable for zones 5 to 7. The plant produces high yields and can be trained to a trellis. The plant produces fruit the second year of growth and should be pruned after the fruit is gone each year. Chester likes full sun.

Doyle's Thornless

• Originally developed by Tom and Louise Doyle in the 1970s, this thornless variety provides high yields of fruit. The plant was recognized by the Agriculture Hall of Fame at Bonner Springs, Kansas. Doyle's Thornless, a trademarked blackberry variety, is disease-resistant and hardy in all USDA zones, according to the trademark owner's website. Claims that each plant produces 20 gallons of berries seem unsupported, as the website's FAQ says 3 to 5 gallons of berries per plant is the norm. The berries are large but may also have large seeds.

Evergreen, Everthornless

• While Evergreen Thornless (Rubus laciniatus) is thornless, the plant can develop sharp thorns or pointed canes if injured or even pruned. Everthornless, a clone of Evergreen Thornless, is truly thornless. Both plants are trailing varieties of blackberry that produce pink flowers which burgeon into small, flavorful fruits in late summer. The plant tolerates cold and is often called Cut-leaf blackberry or Cut-leaf bramble.