Rubus fruticosus 'Black Satin’

Rubus fruticosus ‘Black Satin’: Thornless Blackberry with Deep Blue-Black Fruit

Rubus fruticosus ‘Black Satin’ is a thornless blackberry that makes harvesting feel easy and rewarding, thanks to its prolific mid-summer crop of sweet, juicy, deep blue-black berries. Spring flowers are followed by heavy clusters of fruit that ripen just when summer is hitting its stride, perfect for fresh eating, baking, and freezing. This variety fruits on second-year canes, so it settles into a dependable rhythm once established. With strong growth and a generous yield, it is a classic choice for home berry patches and sunny edible gardens.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 122–183 cm
• Spread: 91–122 cm
• Flower Colour: White to soft pink
• Flowering Period: Late spring, with fruit ripening mid-summer
• Foliage: Deciduous green foliage
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil

Uses and Benefits: Ideal for edible gardens, sunny fence lines, and dedicated berry rows, ‘Black Satin’ delivers a generous harvest without the hassle of thorns. Plant it where you can pick often, since frequent harvesting keeps fruit quality high and encourages continued ripening. The berries are excellent fresh, and they also shine in jams, syrups, pies, and freezing for later. It is a practical, productive shrub that adds real value to the landscape during berry season.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and water regularly during the first season, then keep moisture consistent while fruit is forming for the best berry size and flavour. Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, and provide a trellis or simple support to keep canes organized and easier to manage. Because fruit is produced on second-year canes, remove the canes that have fruited after harvest, then thin and tie in the new canes so they overwinter well and produce next season. Prune in late winter as needed to improve airflow and keep the planting tidy.

History: ‘Black Satin’ is a widely grown thornless blackberry valued for its productivity and rich, dark fruit. Its reliable mid-summer harvest and garden-friendly canes have made it a long-time favourite for home growers who want strong yields without the scratches.

Final Thoughts: For a thornless blackberry that keeps picking comfortable and the harvest generous, ‘Black Satin’ delivers deep, sweet berries that make summer feel like it lasts a little longer.