Trying to find blackberry variety 'Nelson'

10 years ago

Hello everyone! I just joined this forum, so I hope I'm posting this in the right place.

I have been looking for a variety of blackberry called 'Nelson.'

I read about it in the book "The Holistic Orchard" by Michael Phillips, where the variety is profiled and recommended. Apparently 'Nelson' is very cold hardy, only beginning to die back at -25Ã¯Â¿Â½ F. Whoa! I was so excited, because it got down to -13Ã¯Â¿Â½ F here this winter and I had thought I couldn't try blackberries. Unfortunately I can't seem to find this variety anywhere. (Note that, as far as I can tell, this blackberry is not being confused with the blueberry variety also called Nelson.) I found a page from an older Fedco trees catalog online and it seems that they were selling it in the past. It's nowhere to be found on the Fedco trees catalog from this year. I haven't been able to find any other information. I would contact Fedco, but they're probably very busy with filling orders right now.

I joined this forum to see if I might find any more information about this variety. Does anybody grow them by any chance? Alternatively, can anyone recommend any other cold hardy blackberries?

This post was edited by MultifloraRose on Fri, Mar 28, 14 at 17:22

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Comments (5)

larry_gene
10 years ago
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/124174041/shrub-sale-order-form

is the only non-Fedco source I found, and you would have to have a Maine local pick up the order and ship.
multiflorarose
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh, you found it! Wow, thank you! You've made my day. I'm going to look into how I could get some plants from there.
larry_gene
10 years ago
Looks like one of those local county-level plant sales--perhaps they carry the same plants year after year. I think the above list was from 2010. There are search references to a 2014 sale. Below is the basic website:

http://www.waldosoilandwater.org/Waldo_County_Soil_and_Water/Welcome.html
thecityman, Zone 7a/6b near Nashville
10 years ago
Guess what? I was in Tractor Supply yesterday and Nelson was the only Blackberry Variety they had-and they had dozens of plants. TS might not be the best source for trees, but the blackberry plants looked good and were only $4.95 each. I bought one and it had 3 separate canes with good roots and the beginning of some sprouts, so 3 good plant starts for $5, plus no shipping and you can get them and plant them in a day or so. Hopefully they have TS stores in your area and that they carry the same types as my store in KY. Hope this helps you.
Kevin
agritopiate
9 years ago
Fedco is carrying Nelson Blackberry for 2015.

Can anyone give a report on their experience with it?

Steve