Apache Blackberry

Apache blackberry was released in 1999 by the University of Arkansas fruit breeding program under plant patent USPP11865, with John R. Clark as lead breeder. It originated from a hand-pollinated cross of Arkansas Selection 1007 (non-patented) x Navaho made in 1988 at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Fruit Substation in Clarksville, Arkansas. Navaho, itself one of the first erect thornless releases from the UA program, appears in Apache’s immediate parentage, linking it directly to the foundational thornless-erect germplasm Dr. James Moore established in the 1960s and 1970s. Apache was selected specifically for berry size — it produces some of the largest fruit of any UA erect thornless release at the time — alongside the program’s consistent targets of thornless canes, self-supporting upright habit, and adaptability to the humid Mid-South and Eastern United States. USPP11865 has since expired, placing Apache in the public domain. Its combination of berry dimensions, erect thornless canes, and mid-South adaptability made it a standard university extension recommendation through the 2000s.

Plant Apache in full sun — at least six hours of direct light daily — on well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Waterlogged ground weakens the root system and increases disease pressure, so raised rows or sloped sites outperform low-lying areas where moisture pools after rain. Space plants 5 feet apart within rows to give mature canes room for air circulation, which helps reduce fungal problems during humid summers. Apache adapts reliably across USDA zones 6 through 9, requiring approximately 800 to 900 chill hours to break dormancy and flower uniformly. In zones 8 and 9, verify local chill accumulation before planting, as marginal winters may reduce fruiting. Apply a 3- to 4-inch layer of wood chip or straw mulch to moderate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds competing with shallow roots. Annual renovation — cutting out floricanes after harvest — keeps the planting productive and reduces overwintering sites for pests and pathogens.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
AHS Heat Zone: 6-9
Chill Hours: 400-600
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Soil Type: Sandy loam to clay loam; fertile, moderate water-holding capacity
Soil Drainage: Well-drained
Water Requirements: Medium
Drought Tolerance: Moderate
Heat Tolerance: High
Plant Spacing: 5 ft apart
How to Prune: Tip primocanes at 42 inches to encourage lateral branching; cut laterals back to 12 inches or pencil-width in late winter; remove floricanes at ground level immediately after fruiting

Apache produces erect, self-supporting canes on a perennial crown, following the standard biennial cane lifecycle of blackberries: primocanes grow vegetatively in their first year, then become fruiting floricanes in their second year before dying after harvest. The canes carry no thorns, which makes summer trellising, training, and harvest straightforward work without protective gear. Mature canes are vigorous and benefit from tip-pruning at 3 to 4 feet during the primocane season to encourage lateral branching — those laterals become the primary fruiting sites the following year. The plant belongs to the family Rosaceae and is classified as a Rubus hybrid. Growth habit is upright, with a moderate spread managed by annual removal of spent floricanes and selective thinning of crowded primocanes. The food forest layer is shrub, making Apache a natural fit in the shrub zone of a polyculture or as a productive hedgerow planting along field margins.

Mature Height: 5-6 ft tall
Mature Spread: 4-6 ft wide
Growth Habit: Erect thornless; self-supporting when primocanes tipped at 42 inches; no trellis required
Growth Rate: Fast
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Food Forest Layer: Shrub
Permaculture Role: Food production; wildlife habitat and forage; living/thorny hedge and barrier
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Red to orange-purple
Thorns?: No
Attracts Wildlife: Pollinators (bees); songbirds and game birds; small mammals
Life Span: Perennial; canes biennial, crowns/roots perennial

Apache is fully self-fertile, meaning a single plant sets a full crop without a pollinator partner. Flowering typically falls in late spring across zones 6 through 9, timed by the 800- to 900-hour chill accumulation the cultivar requires. While Apache does not need a second variety to produce fruit, bees and other native pollinators visiting the blossoms improve fruit set uniformity and can increase average berry size by ensuring thorough fertilization of each flower's multiple drupelets. Planting near other flowering shrubs or a diverse understory that supports native bees benefits the overall planting even though cross-pollination is not required. No interplanting with a second blackberry variety is necessary, which simplifies garden and small-farm layouts where space is limited.

Bloom Season: Mid
Bloom Window: Mid May - Early Jun
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pollination Mechanism: Self-fertile; insect-pollinated (bees improve fruit set and berry size)
Flower Color: White

Apache produces glossy black berries that rank among the larger-fruited erect thornless cultivars from the University of Arkansas program. Flavor is sweet with moderate acidity, and the fruit holds together well after picking — a quality that suits both fresh eating and value-added uses including jams, preserves, syrups, and baked goods. Harvest runs from late June through late July in temperate climates, placing Apache in the early ripening window. The berry's glossy skin and consistent shape give it reasonable appeal for farmers market sales, though its juice content also makes it a natural candidate for freezing and processing. Leaves can be dried for herbal tea, adding a minor secondary use to the plant. The fruit is the primary edible part and the main reason most growers choose this cultivar.

Ripening Season: Early
Harvest Window: Late Jun - Late Jul
Fruit Size: 1.5 inch
Fruit Weight: 8-10 g
Flavor: Sweet, mildly subacid, distinct blackberry aroma
Fruit Color: Glossy black
Bearing Habit: Floricane (second-year canes)
Years to Bear: 2 years
Culinary Uses: Fresh eating, jams, jellies, pies, cobblers, smoothies, wine

Apache is susceptible to orange rust (Gymnoconia nitens), the most destructive systemic fungal disease of erect blackberries — infected plants show bright orange spore masses on the undersides of leaves and do not recover. Remove and destroy infected canes immediately; buy certified disease-free planting stock and inspect new plants before establishing them. Rosette (double blossom) caused by Cercosporella rubi is a concern in the mid-South; removing and burning affected blossoms early limits spread. Anthracnose and cane blight are managed by pruning spent floricanes promptly, maintaining open-canopy spacing, and avoiding overhead irrigation. Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) builds quickly on ripe fruit in wet conditions — harvest on schedule and improve air movement through annual thinning. Spotted wing drosophila and brown marmorated stink bug are the primary pest pressures; kaolin clay applied before ripening and row covers at harvest reduce SWD infestation. Sanitation — clearing fallen fruit and cutting old canes — remains the single most effective management practice across all disease and pest categories.

Orange Rust: Very Resistant
Rosette / Double Blossom: Resistant
Anthracnose: Moderately Resistant
Cane Blight: Moderately Susceptible
Botrytis Fruit Rot / Gray Mold: Moderately Susceptible
Spotted Wing Drosophila: Moderately Susceptible
Raspberry Crown Borer: Moderately Susceptible
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Moderately Susceptible
Japanese Beetle: Moderately Susceptible

• Tip-prune primocanes: Cut first-year canes at 3–4 feet in midsummer to force lateral branching; those laterals carry next year's crop.
• Scout orange rust in spring: Remove any cane showing pale or orange undersides immediately — infected plants cannot recover.
• Harvest every 2–3 days at peak: Fully ripe fruit left on canes draws spotted wing drosophila quickly; frequent picking is the primary control.
• Cut floricanes flush after harvest: Spent canes harbor overwintering pest eggs and fungal spores; prompt removal is low-cost and high-impact.

Our 365-Day Plant Guarantee: We ensure that our plants are delivered to you alive and healthy. If your plant does not survive its first year, you're eligible for store credit under these conditions:

1. Your location falls within the appropriate USDA hardiness zone for the plant variety (refer to our hardiness zone map).
2. You maintain the roots' moisture and plant within three days of delivery, following the instructions in our Planting Guide.

If you're concerned about your plant's health, please consult our guide, How to Tell if Your Tree is Dead or Dormant. Remember, our plants are shipped in a dormant state and may leaf out at different times based on their species. To check for plant vital