Celestial Thornless Blackberry

Rubus watson x ‘Celestial’

You’ll thank your lucky stars for these exceptionally tasty berries! This innovative blackberry cultivar is the result of a successful cross between the thornless semi-erect maternal blackberry ‘Eclipse’ and the thorny erect paternal blackberry ORUS 3681-1, USPP34,880. It incorporates genetics from both cultivated and wild Rubus germplasm from the southeastern U.S. Boasting exceptional plant vigor, this new variety produces plentiful yields of dainty, small-to-medium size berries with a glossy appearance, minimal defects, and superb flavor and quality. Ideal for fresh consumption, the firm-picked berries are characterized by their delightful sweetness, aroma, and gloss. This distinctive blackberry variety features fruit borne on robust canes that inherited the ‘Merton Thornless’ gene for thornlessness.

Celestial exhibits a high tolerance to heat. The semi-erect habit makes it easy to trellis. Exceptionally long window of ripening – you can pick ripe berries for up to 4 weeks from this plant!

Cold Hardy to USDA Zone: 5

Mature Height: Unverified; probably 3′-4′ x 3′-4′

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: Early

Pollination: Self-Fruitful

Read our Blackberry Growing Guide