Blackberry ‘Karaka’
Rubus fruticosus 'Karaka'This high-yielding blackberry produces large, glossy fruit with a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Bred for flavour and disease resistance, it fruits from early summer to late February, delivering up to 3kg per plant. Its semi-erect canes are easy to train, making it ideal for home gardens
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Blackberry ‘Karaka’
With its semi-erect, thorny canes, ‘Karaka Black’ is easy to train along a fence or trellis, making it perfect for small spaces. The berries are not only larger than standard blackberries but also firm, making them ideal for fresh eating, jams, or freezing for a taste of summer all year round.
Best of all, it thrives in Australian conditions, delivering up to 3kg of fruit per plant in just a few seasons. Plant in full sun, provide some support, and enjoy baskets of delicious, antioxidant-rich fruit straight from your garden.
Blackberry ‘Karaka Black’ thrives in a sunny position with well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, improve the soil with compost and well-rotted manure, ensuring a pH of 6.0–6.5.
Space plants 1.5–2m apart and train canes along a trellis or fence for support. Keep the soil moist, especially during flowering and fruiting, with deep watering once or twice a week. Feed in early spring with a balanced organic fertiliser and apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
In winter, prune back fruited canes to the base while training new canes for next season’s crop. ‘Karaka Black’ ripens from early summer to late February—pick fruit when fully black and slightly soft for the best flavour. Regular harvesting encourages more fruiting.
Generally hardy, it benefits from good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases, while organic sprays can help manage common pests like aphids or fruit fly.