Stark® Black Gem® Blackberry
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Description
A real gem. Vigorous, upright canes are thornless for easy-to-grow and easy-to-pick berries. Soft-textured, glossy blackberries melt in your mouth – best for eating fresh and using in your favorite recipes. Flavor is irresistibly sweet, with 11-12% soluble solids and a lower acidity than other blackberries, which all makes for a pleasurable eating experience. May produce yields of up to 11 – 15 lbs. of fruit per plant. A productive, thornless primocane blackberry variety! Introduced in 2017. First-year canes begin ripening in late August into September, while second-year canes bear heaviest crops in July. Continues to fruit until frost. Everbearing primocane. Self-pollinating. May be covered by USPP #31,690 or other patents. APF-205T cultivar
125% Survival Guarantee!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will issue a one-time merchandise credit to your account equaling 125% of the original product purchase price. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Fruit Color | Black |
| Fruit Size | Large |
| Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
| Ripens/Harvest | First Year Canes Late August, Second Year Canes July |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 6.8 |
| Taste | Excellent, Sweet |
| Texture | Soft, Smooth |
| 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.
Shipping Information
Estimated Delivery Date
This item is currently out of stock.
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.
Questions & Answers
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Browse 20 questions
Browse 20 questions
and 70 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
Previously ordered berries aren't coming until April.
Dale T
on Sep 2, 2020
Arkansas bred thornless primocane variety.
Richard B
on Aug 18, 2020
Previously ordered berries aren't coming until April.
Dale T
on Sep 2, 2020
I already have several thorn-less blackberry varieties from Stark's in my backyard. I've had great luck with each one, and I am purchasing these new Stark's Black Gems to share with my grand kids in establishing a blackberry patch in their yard, too. Since Black Gems are the sweetest of the group, I'm excited about adding them to our collection.
Homer B
on Aug 26, 2020
I already have several thorn-less blackberry varieties from Stark's in my backyard. I've had great luck with each one, and I am purchasing these new Stark's Black Gems to share with my grand kids in establishing a blackberry patch in their yard, too. Since Black Gems are the sweetest of the group, I'm excited about adding them to our collection.
Homer B
on Aug 26, 2020
to try it
Domingo S
on Jul 25, 2020
How tall do the cane berries grow and are you just supposed to let him keep growing tall or do you cut them off and start over?
BEST ANSWER: Hi Phyllis, This is a great question. Erect varieties should be tipped or cut back to 3-4??? in midsummer. This forces lateral branches to emerge from buds below this point. Later in the fall, after they are dormant, cut back the laterals to 16-18???. Fruit will be borne on these laterals the following summer (after which, the canes should then be removed to make room for next season???s growth). See our growing guide on pruning blackberries for more help. Your planting success is important to us!
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- Tabitha R Expert on Oct 31, 2018
Are the berries really seedy?
BEST ANSWER: No, they are not, relatively speaking. The seed volume of Stark Black Gem is small: 6.2mm compared to Natchez (8.9), Ouachita (7.2) and Prime Ark 45 (8.1).
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- LeAnn Staff on Oct 23, 2017
Is the cell pack 6 individual plants that will grow to the large mature size? Or are they supposed to be planted in a cluster?
BEST ANSWER: The cell pack are individual plants. When your plant matures, it will be approximately 4 - 5' tall x 3 - 4' wide. We recommend spacing these plants 3 - 4' apart to ensure room for growth.
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- TiffanyF Staff on Oct 27, 2020
Can you grow these in planters?
When can you ship 3 plants.
When can you ship 3 plants.
BEST ANSWER: You can grow almost anything in a container! This excellent article will answer your questions and provide good advice. Please see "Growing Fruit Trees in Containers" //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-trees-in-containers-pt1
We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
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- TiffanyF Staff on Sep 30, 2020
Can I order for next early spring delivery?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again. We can not place an early order as we do not know next seasons availability, our inventory for Spring 21 typically updates in December or January.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
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- TiffanyF Staff on Jul 21, 2020
We didn't realize this plant had "canes" and I cut a few of them out at the root. When I got to the 2nd bush, I realized it may actually be part of the bush (although there were no flowers or berries on these) because we assumed this was a weed mimicking the bush. Do you the bushes seem pretty healthy otherwise, did we do damage?
BEST ANSWER: You will most likely get less berries this summer. The new canes that grow each year produce your later summer crop. According to many these do best if you cut down the canes at the ground after killing frosts, then allow the new canes to grow in the spring. If you are in a more mild climate, you can leave some of the canes that grew during the summer, but should cut those that have been on the plant for 2 summers. Cutting the canes tip when they reach 5' will give you the best crop according to some videos I have watched. I haven't done that yet, but plan to this year. The berries are wonderful! Hopefully you'll get some new canes still! If you have last years canes still alive, you should get berries from those, but should cut them off after frost this fall.
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- Hannah C on May 29, 2020
- Purchased on Aug 20, 2018
I live in Lake Stevens Washington, Zone 8B. Looking to plant Stark Black Gem blackberries. Wondering how long the sale will last, when shipping would occur, and how long I could hold them before planting? I need some time to prepare the orchard area to plant.
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. This springs berry sale is from Thursday, February 20, 2020 to 11:59 pm CST, Saturday, February 29, 2020.* If you add your zip code in the Hardiness Zone location we will give you an estimated ship date for each item you are interested in. I am attaching a link to our article on "What to do if you can't plant when your order arrives". I hope this is helpful.
//www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/how-to-delay-planting
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
//www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/how-to-delay-planting
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- Tabitha R Expert on Feb 21, 2020
Is fall the best time to plant blackberries?
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.
You can plant new plants and trees: 1) when the ground is not frozen, 2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32??F) and below 90??F, and 3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
You can plant new plants and trees: 1) when the ground is not frozen, 2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32??F) and below 90??F, and 3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
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- LeAnn Staff on Sep 30, 2019
What pollinating partner would be recommended for the Stark Black Gem blackberry plant? (I realize it???s self-pollinating and doesn???t require a partner)
BEST ANSWER: EIther Arapaho or either of the Prime-Ark varieties would be excellent crop-boosters.
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- LeAnn Staff on Sep 28, 2019
Is this a trailing variety that needs support to grow or one which is free-standing more similar to a "bush"?
BEST ANSWER: This is an upright variety that doesn't require a trellis.
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- LeAnn Staff on Apr 28, 2019
What kind of trellising does this variety require?
BEST ANSWER: This variety is really no different than any other upright variety - technically, they will stand on their own, but a two-wire system helps keep them in line and can make the berries easier to pick.
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- LeAnn Staff on Apr 7, 2019
what is cell pack?
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question! A cell pack is similar to the kind of divided tray container in which you might purchase annual bedding plants, but larger. Our blackberry plants in the Jumbo Cell Pack have a shipping expectation of 4-6" tall.
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- LeAnn Staff on Feb 5, 2019
What size are plants when they arrive?
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question! Our blackberry plants in the Jumbo Cell Pack have a shipping expectation of 4-6" tall. In the small gallon, they are about a foot tall with an advanced root system.
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- LeAnn Staff on Jan 19, 2019
Does this blackberry freeze for later use very well?
BEST ANSWER: We would not recommend this blackberry for freezing, as it has a melting quality that makes it superior for fresh eating, but it tends to break down when frozen. If you're going to make jam or preserves out of the frozen berries, it's fine to freeze them.
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- LeAnn Staff on Jan 3, 2019
I have reds, yellows an purple raspberries, if I plant blackberries in same area am I ok?
BEST ANSWER: Yes. It's black raspberries that cause the issues.
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- LeAnn Staff on Oct 26, 2018
How does this plant compare to primeark freedom? Is the fruit the only thing different
BEST ANSWER: Stark Black Gem is a very sweet, soft fruit that literally melts in your mouth. It has a low solids percentage and is a prolific producer. Prime-Ark is a little earlier than Black Gem and a bit more drought-tolerant.
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- LeAnn Staff on Jul 31, 2018
Is this variety slow growing? We planted them probably a month or longer ago and they have not grown much at all if any.
BEST ANSWER: Did you check the soil pH and amend it if needed before you planted? Blackberries like a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0. If you bought bare-root plants, have you been watering them adequately? New plants take a while to establish and take off, a little patience is really all they need if the pH and water needs are being addressed.
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- LeAnn Staff on May 12, 2018
is the Starks Black Gem similar to the Prime Ark Freedom? If so what are the significant differences?
BEST ANSWER: Black Gem grows in a similar fashion as Prime-Ark Freedom, but Black Gem has fewer/smaller seeds and has a very velvety texture. The berries literally melt in your mouth. It is also a fine producer, giving you 11-15 lbs. of fruit per plant per year.
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- LeAnn Staff on Dec 28, 2017
Are these good for wine making?
BEST ANSWER: These blackberries have a very velvety texture and are sweet, with soluble solids of 11-12% - usually with reduced acidity compared to many blackberries. While probably too sweet to stand alone, Black Gem would be a superb addition to a blend to temper a berry high in acidic, with a more tart taste.
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- LeAnn Staff on Oct 24, 2017
Customer Reviews
3.9 / 5.0
11 Reviews
Seem finicky to grow
Received the 6 jumbo cell pack of these to try last spring. The first 5 didn't make it through the summer and the last one did not make it through the winter. I have many other varieties out Navajo, Triple Crown, Kiowa and prime ark freedom that are doing great. Not sure if these are just hard to grow or if they could not handle the cold snap we had at the end of April last year. Stark replaced them with the prime-ark Freedom, no questions asked and they seem to be doing great. Great customer service
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March 25, 2019
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Great spreader.
Last year was the first full year and I had berries... Not a lot but I had berries. This year already grown almost half. Can't wait for the berries.
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2nd year and they're doing great in Utah
I planted three in the Spring of 2018. They seemed to struggle a bit at first, but they were greenhouse grown and we had a couple cold spells early last year. In early summer 2018, I moved one of the three into a raised bed where it had to compete with some aggressive watermelon and Tigger melons. The two in the ground have taken off like crazy with a few of the canes surpassing 6 feet tall. The one in the raised bed is also doing great, especially since it hasn't had to compete with melons this year. I was worried these plants might struggle in Utah because our soil is alkaline, so the pH is >7.0. but they seem to be doing great and have quite a but of fruit in them. I can't wait for them to ripen.
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Consider this variety if you want to grow blackberries in Northeast PA area
Like other reviewers have mentioned, I find Blackberries to be picky. I am glad I ordered 2 different varieties of Blackberries. Both did well at first, but only this one survived in my area. I planted them last year, and It is like a weed in my area. I do very little maintenance on this plant which grows 8-9ft tall with multiple stalks and lots of fruit. It is really hard for me to believe my massive blackberry area started as little cellpacks last year. With that being said, I have found in general the larger plants survive better and have stopped purchasing cellpacks.
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August 8, 2020
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Tiny 1' plants on second year
I planted these last year, they all seemed to die when my other plants thrive in this area (raspberries, strawberries, and asparagus). Stark was great about refunding me after they lost all their leaves in summer. This year all 3 did green up on last year's stems but have a lot of dead leaves and have so far only grown about 1 foot tall with no signs of sending up any new shoots for next year. Maybe they'll work out but I hate to give this garden space to a plant that may or may not survive and not bear any fruit in 2 years. I'll give them 1 more year but this year's growth isn't looking promising.
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Look this may not be a commercial berry but home backyard
some say these are not up to commercial status but at 11 to 15 lbs per plant. That's hard to get. But they love Colorado
I started 3 and they grow like weeds. First year vigorous growth im happy with them so far. Really needs 2 years to tell.
I started 3 and they grow like weeds. First year vigorous growth im happy with them so far. Really needs 2 years to tell.
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Best Tasting Blackberry Anywhere
I have several varieties of blackberries here in Ky. The Black Gem taste is superb. Hasn't produced as heavily as the Triple Crown yet but was planted 2 years later. A little fragile to get started from cell packs but definitely worth the trouble. Nothing else compares to it's taste and berry size. I hardly get any now, since my kids figured out which plants to check!
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January 25, 2021
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Easy to grow, massive amount of berries, and very tasty
I bought these in 2019 and planted 6 of these in east tn in the spring. I didn't get any berries from them the first fall as I did the raspberries I planted. However in the the spring, summer, and fall I had a huge harvest. I got more berries from the 6 plants (some new ones came up) than the 12 raspberry plants I planted at the same time. Most of the neighbors doubted that I got some more berries from such a small patch, but I did. The harvest was huge and very tasty. The berries themselves are quite large and very sweet. Highly recommend these berries.
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Very healthy plants
I am very happy with the plants received. Very hardy looking. Great root system. I repotted them in tall 32oz drink cups to get a solid root system through winter. Regardless of the comments you need to baby them in the beginning for them to give good results. I can't wait to plant them. Highly recommend.
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October 26, 2020
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2 and a half years later
I got three varieties, Prime Ark Freedom & Traveler plus Black Jem a couple of years ago. All but one of the Black Jem plants survived, little to no fruiting the first year. The second summer all had fruit, Freedom the most Black Jem the least. The most vegetative growth was consistent with fruiting. Freedom was exuberant,, Traveler stalky, Black Jem compact. Black Jem were the only plants to flower in the fall but so far no fall fruit. Freedom was the first to fruit followed by Traveler then Black Jem about a week later. My location is the Dallas Texas area. All taste fine but the peak flavor period for Freedom is very short. Freedom had the largest berries and Traveler had the largest number of half size berries. These plants arrived in little six paks, three paks for me, of one by two inch dirt pods. PrimeArk varieties seemed to be this years growth, the Black Jem was last years stick growing in the pod. All the Black Jem sticks lived but when it was time to make new stalks from the ground one of the plants failed to do so.
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January 6, 2021
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