Blackberry 'Bedford Giant' 3Ltr

'Bedford Giant' is a vigorous, reliable blackberry and one of the first to ripen each summer, starting the picking season from late July into August. The large, round, glossy black berries hang in generous clusters and have a sweet, juicy flavour, delicious eaten fresh and perfect for crumbles, pies, jams and freezing. It is self-fertile, so a single plant will crop well on its own, and the white to pale pink flowers in early summer are popular with bees.

This is a strong grower, reaching 1.5–2.5m high and spreading 2.5–4m once established. It is best trained along a wall, fence or post-and-wire support, where it also makes an excellent productive screen. It is not an ideal choice for a very small garden. It grows in full sun or partial shade and is unfussy about soil, though it does best in fertile, moist but well-drained ground. Plant it in a hole twice the width of the pot and mix some compost or soil improver and a general fertiliser into the backfill.

Blackberries fruit on stems grown the previous year. As new canes grow through summer, tie them in to the supports, keeping them separate from the fruiting canes if you can. Once you've finished picking, cut the old fruited canes down to the ground. Feed with a general fertiliser in late winter, mulch with well-rotted manure or compost, and water during dry spells while the fruit is swelling.

Supplied in a 3 litre pot and can be planted at any time of year, though autumn and winter are ideal. Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.