The blackberry Chester’ (Rubus fruticosus) is a top choice for northern climates. With graceful, arching, thorn-free canes, it twists and curves in arabesques, allowing it to winter safely under a protective layer of snow, without requiring extra protection or trellising from you.

Its white, pink-tinted flowers stand out beautifully against dark foliage. The harvest of large, firm, juicy blackberries begins late in the season, lasting several weeks toward the end of summer. Though birds enjoy these berries, it’s rumored that they become exceptionally sweet when given time to fully ripen, turning shiny black—a feature that makes them easy to protect with netting if necessary.

The blackberry ‘Chester’ is a variety resistant to cane blight, making it a reliable choice.