About

Fantasia' is a vigorous, blackberry with long arching, thorny canes, spreading up to 8m in width. Flowers white; fruit black.

About the genus

Rubus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, often scrambling with bristly or prickly stems bearing simple, lobed, palmate or pinnate leaves and 5-petalled flowers followed by juicy, sometimes edible fruits

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeFruit Edible, Shrubs
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationUsually fan trained. Mulch with well rotted compost or manure. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See blackberry cultivation for further advice
PruningCut out old canes following fruiting and tie in new canes
PropagationPropagate by tip layering or from cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, raspberry beetle and gall mites
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)