Sweet Ark Ponca Thornless Blackberry - Home Garden Plant - Zones 5 to 9 - Container Garden - Easy to Grow Fruit Tree

The Sweet-Ark® Ponca Blackberry is a new generation of thornless blackberries bred for exceptional sweetness, firmness, and compact growth. Released by the University of Arkansas in 2020, this variety is ideal for home gardeners who want delicious blackberries without the hassle of thorns or large, sprawling canes.

Perfect for containers, raised beds, or in-ground planting, Ponca combines excellent flavor with high yields and disease resistance—all in a compact, manageable plant.

Key Features:

• Thornless Canes: Completely thorn-free for pain-free harvesting

• Incredible Flavor: Known as the sweetest variety from the Arkansas breeding program to date

• Early Season: Ripens early to mid-June in most regions

• High Yields: Produces large quantities of firm, glossy blackberries

• Compact Habit: More upright and compact than other blackberry varieties—great for small spaces

Growing Conditions:

• Light: Full sun (6–8 hours/day) for best fruiting

• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–6.5)

• Watering: Moderate to regular; consistent moisture during fruiting is key

• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5–9

• Container Friendly: Yes — grows well in large pots or grow bags with proper support

****Please Note: Depending on time of year, and inventory, plants will vary in height. All plants ship out between 13 and 15 inches tall. ****

Care Tips:

• Support: Use a trellis or stakes to keep canes upright and productive

• Pruning:

  • After harvest, prune out spent floricanes (second-year canes that have fruited)

  • In early spring, tip-prune new canes to encourage bushier growth

• Mulching: Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and after the first harvest

• Pest/Disease Resistance: Excellent resistance to common blackberry diseases, including rust

****High temperatures (90 degrees and higher) or extreme cold temperatures (40 and below) can result in leaf loss and decreased appearance. Please check your local temperatures prior to ordering. ****

Benefits:

• Incredibly Sweet Berries: Excellent for fresh eating, desserts, smoothies, and preserves

• No Thorns: Easy and safe for families, including children

• Compact & Manageable: Perfect for urban gardens, patios, or small yards

• Reliable Harvest: Consistent yields year after year with proper care

• Developed for Home Growers: Bred for flavor, firmness, and ease of growth

Ideal For:

• Container gardens

• Backyard berry patches

• Edible landscapes

• Family-friendly harvesting

• Growers in Zones 5–9