Blackberry Loch Ness: A High-Yielding Thornless Variety
Rubus fruticosus
Position
- Full sun for the best fruit production
- Can tolerate partial shade with slightly reduced yields
- Sheltered from strong winds
- Avoid frost pockets to protect flowers and early fruits
Hardiness
- Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F)
Soil Type
- Well-drained fertile soil
- Moisture-retentive but not waterlogged
- Rich in organic matter
- Loamy or sandy soil preferred
Soil PH
- Neutral to slightly acidic
- Grab a soil test kit and ensure the perfect conditions for growth
Height
- Height: 120-150cm (4-5 feet)
- Spread: 150-200cm (5-6.5 feet)
Seasons of Interest
- Flowering: Late spring (May-June) with clusters of white or pale pink flowers
- Fruiting: Late summer to early autumn (August to September)
Additional Notes
- Thornless, making harvesting much easier and more comfortable
- Compact and upright growth is ideal for small gardens or training on trellises
- Produces large, shiny blackberries with a sweet, slightly tart flavour
- High-yielding and reliable variety, suitable for UK climates
- Plant 200cm apart in rows with good air circulation to prevent disease
- Benefits from a support system like wires or a trellis to hold canes upright
- Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Prune out fruited canes in winter and tie new growth onto supports
- Excellent for fresh eating, jams, baking, and freezing
- Strong disease resistance makes it easy to grow
- RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliable performance and superior fruit quality
Thornless Blackberry Loch Ness: The Perfect Berry for Your Garden
Blackberry Loch Ness is a British-bred blackberry plant known for its heavy cropping and thornless canes. With its firm, glossy-black conical fruits and excellent shelf life, it is one variety used by commercial growers for its superior quality. This easy-to-grow blackberry plant thrives in well-drained soil and can produce up to 3.6kg of delicious fruit per bush. If you are looking for a low-maintenance, high-yielding soft fruit, Blackberry Loch Ness is a perfect choice.
How to Grow Blackberry Loch Ness Successfully
Choosing the Best Location
For the best results, grow Loch Ness in full sun with well-drained soil. This variety thrives in nutrient-rich soil enriched with well-rotted manure or compost. A sheltered spot helps protect the fruit from wind damage and enhances the quality of the berries.Planting Blackberry Loch Ness
- Space plants 2m apart to allow for proper growth.
- Use a trellis or wall to support the stems and thornless canes.
- Water well after planting to establish strong roots.
- Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Caring for Your Blackberry Bush
- Prune the canes after fruiting to encourage new growth.
- Support the stems using a trellis or wall for better fruit production.
- Use well-rotted manure or compost annually to boost nutrients.
When and How to Harvest Blackberry Loch Ness
Recognising Ripe Berries
Loch Ness begins fruiting in mid-August and can continue producing until the first frosts. When fully ripe, the berries turn a rich, glossy black and are firm and flavourful.
Picking and Storing
- Pick berries when they are firm and glossy black.
- Store in a cool place or freeze for long-term use.
- Handle gently, as ripe berries can be delicate.
Protecting Blackberry Loch Ness from Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and How to Manage Them
- Aphids and beetles: Encourage natural predators to keep populations low. For persistent aphid problems, apply a gentle insecticidal soap to affected areas, ensuring thorough coverage of leaves and stems.
- Birds: Use netting to prevent birds from eating the fruit.
- Fungal diseases: Ensure good airflow and avoid overwatering.
Disease Resistance
Loch Ness has good resistance to Purple Blotch and Botrytis but is susceptible to Downy Mildew, which requires regular control with a fungicide.Best Uses for Blackberry Loch Ness
Enjoying the Superior Flavour
- Fresh Eating: Enjoy the firm and flavourful berries straight from the bush.
- Baking: Perfect for pies, crumbles, and tarts.
- Preserving: Makes excellent jams and jellies.
- Freezing: Retains quality when stored for later use.
From Darren’s Patch
I’m not currently growing Loch Ness, but it’s a variety I’ve had my eye on for a while — and with good reason. Harvesting armfuls of juicy blackberries from thornless canes is hugely appealing, especially if you’ve previously wrestled with prickly plants! What I like about Loch Ness is its reputation for reliability — it’s been a favourite among commercial growers for years, which tells you a lot about its performance and flavour. The long cropping season, firm fruit, and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent option for gardeners who want a significant return without too much fuss. If I had a sunny wall or fence going spare, I’d be tempted to plant a couple myself — they’re perfect for training up a support and delivering a generous late-summer harvest.
Key Points to Remember:
- Plant in full sun with well-drained soil
- Support the thornless canes on a trellis or wall
- Harvest from mid-August until the first frosts for a long cropping season
- Prune after fruiting to encourage new growth
- Protect fruit from birds and pests with netting
- Enjoy fresh, frozen, or preserved blackberries throughout the year
Following these steps, you can successfully grow Blackberry Loch Ness and enjoy an abundant harvest of high-quality fruit!
To see the RHS article, please click here.
Want to learn about other blackberry varieties? Read about Blackberry Oregon Thornless here.
For more information on Fruit for your garden please click here.