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Kiowa Blackberry

Kiowa Blackberry

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Description

The world’s biggest blackberry — up to 3" long! This thorny variety blooms earlier and longer than others. Fruit is large enough to make fresh cobbler with just a few berries. Also great for juice or wine. Summer-bearing floricane. Early season. Ripens in early June. Self-pollinating.

Characteristics

Bloom Color Pink, White
Fruit Color Black
Fruit Size Extra Large
Pollination Self-Pollinating
Ripens/Harvest Early June
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 6.8
Taste Sweet
Texture Firm
Years to Bear 1 - 2
Zone Range 5 - 8

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 5 - 8
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

When your plant matures, it will be approximately 4 - 5' tall x 3 - 4' wide.

Recommended Spacing

We recommend spacing these plants 3 - 4' apart to ensure room for growth.

Pollination

This variety is self pollinating.

In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. You'll get fruit with only one plant!

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow blackberry plants in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Read about how to grow blackberry plants »

Shipping Information

Estimated Delivery Date

Get an estimated delivery date »

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

Our Promise of Satisfaction

1 Year Warranty

Every order comes with our promise of satisfaction. If you aren't completely satisfied with your order, let us know within one year for a free one-time replacement or refund.

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Questions & Answers

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Browse 20 questions Browse 20 questions and 81 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
I have had them in the past and moved from the previous location. I love these berries!
Laura M on May 10, 2020
size, zone hardiness
Gayle A on May 8, 2020
I have had them in the past and moved from the previous location. I love these berries!
Laura M on May 10, 2020
wanted to add to our blackberries
Robert C on May 8, 2020
size, zone hardiness
Gayle A on May 8, 2020
My Gurneys one died so I thought I would try another Vendor
Kenneth K on May 7, 2020
have some and really like . just needed more.
jacob a on Mar 14, 2020
I hope these will be great for the yard
Jeffrey P on Mar 2, 2020
What a good looking berry! I'm going to enjoy eating these beauties
REBECCA D on Jan 10, 2020
I wanted to make a hedge row around a portion of my garden and the idea of such thick thorny brambles producing an up to 3" berry seemed well worth a try!!! Hope I prove to be right :-)
Robert H on Jan 10, 2020
Look at the picture
Darcy W on Jan 2, 2020
Blackberries are our favorite berry & now we have room to plant what we like.
Carol F on Apr 17, 2019
Curious and looks yummy.
Kimberly R on Apr 12, 2019
Love the size of these blackberries and they are full of flavor
Vicky k on Mar 27, 2019
Its gigantic!!
Uriel M on Mar 14, 2019
I was looking for after someone recommended them
sharon h on Mar 7, 2019
Looking for a snack the kids can find outside on their own.
Veronica E on Mar 3, 2019
Positive reviews and it looks huge!
Anjelica S on Mar 2, 2019
Big.
Danny M on Jan 15, 2019
Lots of positive ratings, the berries look amazing, and I LOVE blackberries!
Jacob P on Nov 28, 2018
extra large berries, early bearing, first to have berries in my berry patch
robert b on Aug 21, 2018
I have them already. Produce large berries
Clayton G on Jun 8, 2018
We ordered several varieties of blackberries a few years ago. Love the Kiowa. They are the best producing and largest berry. They taste wonderful, too. Enlarging our blackberry patch, and wanted only Kiowa in it. Your plants always arrive very healthy, but I appreciate how you guarantee them for a year. Thank you!
Sue D on Apr 18, 2018
Already have 3, wanted more.
Stanley S on Mar 2, 2018
Excellent results from previous purchase. No other blackberry can compete
Tom J on Feb 13, 2018
We've grown this variety before and loved it; it's vigorous and produces a lot of very large berries.
Michele H on Feb 10, 2018
I love the huge berries you can buy in the store, I am hoping this will be a good berry for my backyard.
Julia E on Apr 14, 2017
Nice large berries with a wonderful taste.
Leland B on Jan 7, 2017
I picked this plant because of the size of the fruit.
Mary C on Jul 31, 2016
Need deer resistant shrubs. The reviews convinced me
JUDITH C on May 24, 2016
Size gotta see this
Jonathan P on May 23, 2016
Because they are huge. Wanted some blackberries to join the rest of the fruit.
Tonya J on May 17, 2016
Because of the novelty. I have a lot of blackberries but this one seems like fun.
Bryan P on May 17, 2016
Size and production
John S on May 17, 2016
This looks incredible! Want to try it out
Elizabeth B on Apr 25, 2016
Already have six. Nice big blackberry.
James T on Mar 26, 2016
Size
Sharon R on Mar 17, 2016
I wanted to see how big it can get in our growing area!
VICKI J on Mar 15, 2016
My niece and nephews will think it's awesome!
Brian H on Mar 9, 2016
I planted some of these 16 years ago and was blown away at the size of the fruit. The old plants have not been doing very well these last few years, not sure if it is age, weather conditions or owner over pruning, but thought I would try planting some new ones.
Stacy H on Mar 8, 2016
Novelty of size and taste and harvest date
Danny P on Feb 29, 2016
wanted to add to our blackberries
Robert C on May 8, 2020
My Gurneys one died so I thought I would try another Vendor
Kenneth K on May 7, 2020
Our first year kiowas taste bitter... Have we done something wrong? Why would they taste terribly bitter?
John W on Jun 19, 2016
BEST ANSWER: The Kiowas turn black well before they are ripe. You need to wait until they soften before they are sweet. I was doing the same thing, until I realized they take a long time to ripen.
can you prune the plant at say 4-5 feet & will it bare fruit. Or is it better to let bush ramble ???
bonnies on Apr 20, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Yes, you can maintain this plant at 4-5 ft and it will bare fruit. I planted my Kiowa in the spring and it had a few berries that summer. The berries were large. Accept for the thorns, I really like this plant.
I JUST PLANTED MY KIOWA BLACK BERRY'S ,DO I PUT A LIGHT DUSTING OF PLANT FOOD ? . ALSO HOW LONG DOSE IT TAKE FOR THEM TO CANE OUT AT 5 FEET TALL
CHRIS S on Sep 4, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. The key is "light dusting." Don't overfertilize. Just a little 10-10-10, or better yet, we have a fertilizer formula made just for blackberries:

http://www.starkbros.com/products/tools-and-supplies/soil-additives/stark-blackberry-and-bramble-fertilizer

It's hard to say when your canes will reach 5'. It depends a great deal upon your soil, what you feed it, how much sun it gets, etc. They could get that tall in a year.
How far from a fence should I plant them?
den1w on Mar 13, 2016
BEST ANSWER: I plant mine 6 inches from the fence. They stay in a clump which just gets bigger around, they are not like a raspberry which sends runners all over the place and you are always cutting them out or digging out somewhere.
I plan to plant these at the front corner of my house which gets upwards of 10 hours of direct sun. The blueberries around the corner gets about 7 or 8 hours. Should i give it more or less sun?
Adrian on May 2, 2018
BEST ANSWER: I have mine planted against a concrete block wall and they get 10-12 hours sun during the summer. I water a lot in Albuquerque NM so they grew extremely well and I love them.
Developing berries look small?
Joe S on Jun 9, 2016
BEST ANSWER: These berries grow largest in morning sun with plenty of moisture. If they get too hot of afternoon sun they won't grow to their largest size. They also respond best with high organic matter.
What size are the plants in the cell packs?
Douglas L on Jun 13, 2018
BEST ANSWER: A Jumbo Cell Pack is a bigger version of the divided 6-packs in which you might have bought annuals or vegetable plants in at a garden center. These one-year-old plants are new starts - about 4-6" tall - and will grow rapidly during the next growing season.
Is this a vine or dose it grow canes like other raspberries?
Rene B on Nov 16, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. Kiowa is a summer-bearing floricane vs. a trailing vine. The fruit is enormous!
Is the Kiowa BlackBerry upright or vining?
Brad T on Jan 9, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Brad: I have 12 Kiowa blackberry plans that will be three years old this season. They have strong canes that that grow to 5' in length being more horizontal at first and getting more verticle as the plants develop mass for support.
Will they bare fruit the first year and do I need to fertilize them ?
Dusty on Mar 4, 2020
BEST ANSWER: The Kiowa Blackberry is one Prolific plant. Yes you should get blackberries the first year.I used worm castings in soil as I do with all my plants, this will not burn the roots. I don't think you need to at planting time unless you have poor soil then I would amend the soil. When the plant looks like its going to set blossoms I always fertilize around that time. This was one impressive plant! The size of these berries were extra large.It does has thorns but these berries are huge as seen in the picture and I will always have some in my garden. If i had to chose only one berry.. this one would be it!
can I grow black berry under a young maple tree?
Lee C on Mar 29, 2016
BEST ANSWER: I wouldn't try this, the maple will shade the blackberry too much, the vines will grow but not produce fruit like you would like to have!
Can I plant cucumbers,tomatoes,green beans etc. next to kiowa blakberries ?
Virginia C on Mar 18, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Yes, you can, all vegetables can grow around them, you would just have to have the space for the sun to reach every thing ok. and don't let the cucumbers climb up your berry vines, as cucumbers can get a mold, which you don't want on your berries.
when can I order the Kiowa Blackberry Plants?
Carl H on Mar 29, 2020
BEST ANSWER: If in the south now if not wait for your trees to bud green. Loves these have wild growing along fence line but these are like 3 times the size for the wild ones! Buds are coming in now on wild an Kiowa live in Florida!
I bought a Kiowa blackberry, it looks more like a rose bush. It has a blueish flower on it. Did I get the right plant?
Kim K on Jun 12, 2018
BEST ANSWER: I received your photo, thank you. That is most definitely a blackberry bush. When the blooms first start to open, they are darker than they are when they are fully open, which will be closer to white with a pinkish purple tinge. Looks like you have some really good soil there! Good luck with your crop.
It says zone 5-8. I live in zone 9b. Will that be a problem?
Donna P on Feb 17, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Yes, I'm afraid it will. It's too warm where you are and the plant won't have a chance to go dormant long enough to complete the fruiting cycle. The Triple Crown Thornless Blackberry is very well suited to where you live.
What's the difference between the 3 cell pack and 1 gallon blackberry?
Andrew W on Feb 16, 2017
BEST ANSWER: Cell Packs are small potted plant starts (either 3 or 6 to an order) that are roughly 4-6" tall. The gallon pot contains one older plant (one year old) with a well established root system.
Do you Carry a torn less Kiowa blackberry?
Beverly B on Oct 20, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. Kiowa, by nature, has thorns. A similar blackberry that doesn't have thorns is Ouachita, which you can investigate here:

http://www.starkbros.com/products/berry-plants/blackberry-plants/ouachita-thornless-blackberry
which thornless blackberry is the most erect and needs the least amount of trellising? Zone 5
susan d on Apr 11, 2020

Customer Reviews

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4.4 / 5.0
74 Reviews
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Great choice for Southeast Texas!
I planted Kiowa and Quachita(thornless) about 3 years ago. While the Ouachita is a very good plant, it does not come close to the prolific production of the Kiowa. I have 3 rows about 20 ft long with 4 plants on each row. I pick about 4 to 5 one gallon containers during peak bearing season. I fertilize twice a year with 13-13-13 once in the spring and once in early fall. One thing to note, in hot climates such as southeast Texas, you will need to prune at least twice before cold weather sets in in order to control the height of the plant.
February 24, 2016
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
KIOWA - The best Blackberries you can grow
I purchased my Kiowa Blackberries from Stark Brothers a few years ago. Everyone who sees the huge berries asks two questions : Where did you get them and How do they taste? I tell them that I bought them From Stark Brothers via Mail Order and then, I hand them a couple of berries to taste! Without exception, they all make the same comments as to how Huge they are and How sweet and delicious tasting they are! The canes are sturdy and prolific in bearing; And I prune out the last-year bearing canes each Spring to keep the area neat and easier to pick these luscious berries ! If you are going to plant just one cultivar of Blackberries, I urge you to get the Kiowa from Stark Brothers!
August 21, 2016
Some good characteristics
In zone 8A (upper SC) I got HUGE thick canes the second year with a good amount of large, thumb-sized berries. Beautiful looking. The taste was OK (not as sweet as wild ones) fresh. In pies and sweetbreads, they work very well. Fairly seedy "crunch". VERY thorny so wear leather when you pick. (Thorns curve backward and catch and hold clothes!) Don't even try to cover to prevent bird theft; let them ride. Pick when jet black and soft.
March 13, 2016
Delicious and vigorous grower
I planted it in December and the very next spring saw a few berries. I didn't realize how much it would grow, planted them too close to each other. Vines were 20 feet long, so they need to be trellised. This year (2nd season) they are loaded with huge berries (mid May). The only bad thing about this plant is that it's extremely thorny. I'm planning on using them along a fence in hopes thorns will keep some animals away.
May 15, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Large berries
I planted these last year. I bought 3 plants, They were three different sizes. A large one, a medium sized one and a small one. The large one had 6 berries the first year. This is the second year and they have grown quite a bit and have lots of berries. They also have large thorns. They produce good sized berries. If they keep growing like the first year, I will have a good sized berry patch. I am pleased with my purchase.
May 18, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Kiowa blackberries from Stark Bros.
Kiowa blackberries from Stark Bros. have proven to be exceptionally vigorous and hearty while growing prodigious amounts of the tart, juicy berries.
The second year plants produce long canes which wrap easily around wire stringers that make berry picking easy and fun.
They grow in clumps of four to five berries, many growing over one inch, some growing to two inches.
The bushes have a life cycle of five to six years.
On a side note, Stark Bros. ships the berry plants in specially designed containers which protect them well.
May 17, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Healthy looking start
Too early to see how this new plant will do, but on arrival the new baby looks good and green and ready to go. This plant arrived in November here. So we will see how the growth goes for this season!
February 25, 2016
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
Kiowa Blackberries
The berries are wonderful. They are huge! They freeze very well, just wash them and freeze in zip lock bag and they are ready to take out to make either jam or blackberry cobbler at any time. I am very pleased!
May 4, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
Love these Kiowa berries
In the first season, the bushes grew and developed. Second season, the berries are starting to friuit nicely. The berries are huge as pictured. This season looks to be a nice harvest.
May 17, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
HUGE BERRIES!!!!
I purchased 6 Kiowa Blackberries 2 years ago and got several quarts of Berries last year. The main reason I purchased them is because they are supposed to ripen in June. This gets them out ahead of the onslaught off Spotted Wing Drosophila flies which start getting bad towards the end of July. They need to be pruned properly to ripen in June. They do have thorns but I can put up with those. The berries are AMAZINGLY HUGE!!!
May 6, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago

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