Arizona Native Blackberry Plants

Description

• The woody canes of the Arizona blackberry grow in brambles about 4 feet high. The sharp, stout thorns have broad bases. The laterally flattened, widely spaced leaves are hooked and turn down. The leaves at the top of a thicket are a darker shade of green than those in the interior. The Arizona blackberry produces white flowers with five petals. The dark red berries are said to be "tasty" --- although they may be an acquired taste.

Growth

• The Arizona blackberry thrives in the mountains. The canes or vines of the Arizona blackberry form thickets beside streams and around springs between 1,400 to 6,000 feet high. The Arizona blackberry sends out runners that take root when they touch ground. The canes lose their leaves when the plant goes dormant in the winter.

Cultivation

• Plant care website Desert Survivors reports that the Arizona blackberry can be cultivated and will grow easily in Tucson if it receives proper care. The Arizona blackberry will survive cold to 10 degrees F. and is best grown in partial shade. Gardeners might add some sand to the soil before transplanting it. Rubus arizonensis needs only moderate water. Desert Survivors recommends a 5-5-5 organic fertilizer one month after transplanting.