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Plant Informational Database

Marionberry

Rubus x

A tasty blackberry variety bearing dark, purple-black fruits that are full of tart-sweet flavor and juice. Very good for fresh eating with fruits tending to have a sweeter flavor and more juice than some of the other common blackberry varieties.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Marionberry. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in August 2011.

Description

A fast-growing bramble-like vine that can produce canes up to 20 feet long. Vines contain prominent thorns. Flowers bloom during Spring in large clusters. Fruits ripen shortly thereafter during late Spring and Summer. Named after Marion County, Oregon.

Hardiness

Vines show freeze hardiness to 10F and lower.

Growing Environment

Vines tend to grow in large thickets and do well with support. Provide regular water and well-drained soil. Though plants enjoy full sun, keep out of very hot, dry, full sun. Plants are adapted well to cooler, maritime climates with summer heat.

Propagation

Usually by cuttings or suckers. Can also be propagated by seeds, which generally come true to parent plants. Seeds can be cold stratified for 2-3 months prior to planting.

Uses

A delicious fresh fruit and one of the more common commercial blackberries in the Pacific Northwest. Fruits can also be squeezed for juice and used in desserts.

Native Range

Released in 1956, the marionberry is a USDA created cross between the Ollalieberry (Rubus ursinus) and Chehalem (Rubus x armeniaus) variety of blackberry. Today it is mostly grown commercially in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Oregon.

Related Species

Rosaceae  
Couepia polyandra
Olosapo
Cydonia oblonga
Quince
Eriobotrya japonica
Loquat
Fragaria californica
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Fragaria vesca
Alpine Strawberry
Malus pumila
Apple
Prunus ilicifolia
Holly Leaf Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii
Catalina Island Cherry
Prunus salicifolia
Capulin Cherry
Quillaja saponaria
Soapbark Tree
Rubus niveus
Mysore Raspberry
Rubus x
Marionberry