Black Hawthorn vs Balsors Blackberry - TreeTime.ca

Black Hawthorn vs Balsors Blackberry

Crataegus douglasii

Rubus fruticosus Balsors

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Hawthorn
Balsors Blackberry

Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

Balsors Blackberry is a cold-hardy variety that produces very large, sweet and juicy blackberries late in the summer. They are great for baking and fresh eating.

Balsors Blackberry is a floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

Balsors Blackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: yellow to red
Bark: brown to gray
Bark: has thorns
Flowers: white
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Berries: black
Fruit size: large
Firmness: soft
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: August
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple
Other Names: balsors hardy blackberry, illinois blackberry