Average Landscape Size: 4–6 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide; semi-erect habit (best when supported by a trellis)
Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight)
Water Needs: Moderate; keep consistently moist during bloom and fruit development
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9; very heat tolerant and requires only about 300 chill hours, perfect for our Gulf Coast climate
Fertilization & Pruning: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring; prune back floricanes to the ground after they finish their summer harvest
Detailed Description: The Natchez blackberry is the gold standard for home growers in our region who want big results with minimal effort. This thornless variety is prized for its impressive fruit size—the berries are often twice the size of standard varieties—and their beautiful glossy finish. Because it is an early-season producer, it typically starts ripening its fruit in June, allowing you to enjoy your harvest before the most intense July and August heat arrives.
While the plant has a semi-erect growth habit, those heavy clusters of giant berries can weigh the canes down, so we recommend a simple wire trellis or fence to keep the fruit off the ground and easy to reach. It’s a vigorous grower that adapts well to our local soils as long as it has good drainage. Whether you are eating them fresh off the vine, freezing them for smoothies, or making a classic Texas cobbler, the Natchez is a reliable producer that will reward you year after year with an abundance of sweet, succulent fruit!
Average Landscape Size: 4–6 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide; semi-erect habit (best when supported by a trellis)
Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight)
Water Needs: Moderate; keep consistently moist during bloom and fruit development
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9; very heat tolerant and requires only about 300 chill hours, perfect for our Gulf Coast climate
Fertilization & Pruning: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring; prune back floricanes to the ground after they finish their summer harvest
Detailed Description: The Natchez blackberry is the gold standard for home growers in our region who want big results with minimal effort. This thornless variety is prized for its impressive fruit size—the berries are often twice the size of standard varieties—and their beautiful glossy finish. Because it is an early-season producer, it typically starts ripening its fruit in June, allowing you to enjoy your harvest before the most intense July and August heat arrives.
While the plant has a semi-erect growth habit, those heavy clusters of giant berries can weigh the canes down, so we recommend a simple wire trellis or fence to keep the fruit off the ground and easy to reach. It’s a vigorous grower that adapts well to our local soils as long as it has good drainage. Whether you are eating them fresh off the vine, freezing them for smoothies, or making a classic Texas cobbler, the Natchez is a reliable producer that will reward you year after year with an abundance of sweet, succulent fruit!
