Average Landscape Size: 4–6 ft. tall × 3–4 ft. wide; upright, self-supporting canes.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours) is essential for maximum fruit production and sweetness.
Water Needs: Moderate to high; requires consistent moisture during the fruit-setting and ripening stages. Do not let the roots dry out completely during the summer.
Deer Resistance: Medium
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9; very cold-hardy for our region and requires approximately 400-500 "chill hours" to fruit well, which is ideal for the Houston metro area.
Fertilization & Pruning: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fruit and nut food. Since blackberries fruit on two-year-old wood, prune out the "floricanes" (the canes that finished fruiting) at the ground level immediately after harvest.
Detailed Description: Developed by the University of Arkansas, 'Ouachita' is celebrated for its disease resistance and its "user-friendly" thornless canes. The berries are impressively large and notably firm, which means they don't turn to mush immediately after picking. They have a high sugar content and a long harvest window, usually ripening in mid-June in our area. For Houston gardeners, this variety is a winner because it handles our humidity well and the upright growth habit means you can grow plenty of fruit even in a smaller backyard without needing a complex wire support system. It is a beautiful, productive addition to any edible landscape.
Average Landscape Size: 4–6 ft. tall × 3–4 ft. wide; upright, self-supporting canes.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours) is essential for maximum fruit production and sweetness.
Water Needs: Moderate to high; requires consistent moisture during the fruit-setting and ripening stages. Do not let the roots dry out completely during the summer.
Deer Resistance: Medium
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9; very cold-hardy for our region and requires approximately 400-500 "chill hours" to fruit well, which is ideal for the Houston metro area.
Fertilization & Pruning: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fruit and nut food. Since blackberries fruit on two-year-old wood, prune out the "floricanes" (the canes that finished fruiting) at the ground level immediately after harvest.
Detailed Description: Developed by the University of Arkansas, 'Ouachita' is celebrated for its disease resistance and its "user-friendly" thornless canes. The berries are impressively large and notably firm, which means they don't turn to mush immediately after picking. They have a high sugar content and a long harvest window, usually ripening in mid-June in our area. For Houston gardeners, this variety is a winner because it handles our humidity well and the upright growth habit means you can grow plenty of fruit even in a smaller backyard without needing a complex wire support system. It is a beautiful, productive addition to any edible landscape.
