Not "there" but this will bring your post back to the top for those there to see, packardce.

I can tell you about blackberries on my neighbor's fence. He once had thornless blackberries and raspberries. I've had the garden on the other side of his fence for about 15 years. During that time I've watched the raspberries being forced out.

It's a little odd because some of the blackberries will die during cold winters. Summers, the raspberries are failing, probably because of the blackberry roots. The blackberry canes are about 8' long, at least.

The raspberries have attempted to escape into my garden but they aren't getting any further. I have some raspberries elsewhere and don't need the 1 or 2 weak vines left alive encroaching as refugees. They are about 6' or 8' from where they once were. I also don't want the blackberries encroaching, either. I can reach a sufficient number for a taste, now & then.

The blackberries have also forced out and killed a couple of Concord grape vines. Oddly, some volunteer hazelnut trees are pushing out the blackberries. Yes, it is all something of a mess.

Steve

Thanks for the reply. Were they pruned each year or left to go wild? I don't mind something that requires maintenance but don't want to plant a monster!

He very much goes for the wild look.

A friend had Doyle blackberries. I don't really know how much different they are but I was surprised that they stood up to subzero well. Wild blackberries from the coast have done a little better the last few summers. Winters are especially hard on them and they may not even have a crop. Still, they show up around here and amount to very little, especially by comparison to wild blackberries in western WA & OR.

Steve

I just ordered some thorn-less blackberries, I'm planning on putting them in the back of pastureland, they do get big and wild and take over. (But I like the fruit) I have wild ones on my property in Arkansas. They send up suckers everywhere so I don't think it will be a tidy look. Any how, Digit if you have any volunteer hazelnuts that you would like to get rid of Ill send you some postage, I'm in the market for nut trees. Gloria

Oooh, I also just ordered some thornless blackberries, mostly erect types and one semi-erect. In the planting instructions, they said nothing about suckering and taking over. First time growing them. I wanted to put them somewhere within hose reach of my watering hydrant, since most things here seem to be limited mainly by water. What type did you order? Are there any that don't take over? I just have a hard time picturing anything taking over here except maybe bindweed. I've even set my horseradish and apple mint free in the garden with no worries of takeover for 4 years...unheard of in CA. I'm in Black Forest.

Also, trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do to get on the list for the Spring Swap.