Balsor Hardy Blackberry

Balsor Hardy Blackberries have proven their resilience in Alberta trials, performing well even above the snow line during Zone 3 winters. For added cold protection, the thorny canes can be gently bent and tucked under the snow, ensuring healthy regrowth in spring. These hardy plants bear fruit on second-year canes, producing glossy, deep-black berries that measure 3-4 cm long.

Ripening from late August to early September in Zone 3, Balsor Hardy Blackberries deliver a sweet flavour with a tangy edge — delicious fresh off the bush and excellent for preserves, syrups, and jams, this variety is known for spreading through suckers once established. Originating from Nova Scotia, this variety combines good cold hardiness with great fruit quality.

Adaptable to a wide range of soils, Balsor Hardy thrives best in well-drained, moderately fertile ground with consistent moisture, a rewarding choice for prairie gardeners seeking a truly hardy blackberry.

Growers Note:

Blackberry canes demand similar upkeep to raspberries and should be pruned each year to promote plant health and maximize fruit production. Remove the older, two-year-old canes that bore fruit the previous season during autumn or early spring, before new growth begins.

Allow 1- 1.5 meter (3-5 ft) spacing and 2.4 meter (8 ft) minimum between rows 

Hardiness Zone: 3

Height: 1.5 meters (5 feet)

Spread: 1 meter (3 feet)

Soil Preference: Well drained, moist  

Light Exposure: Full sun

Pollination: Self-fertile   

Latin Name: Rubus fruticosus 'Balsors Hardy'