Steve Yoder
I'm Steve, a 30-something urban gardener fascinated by companion planting research. Growing up surrounded by greenery sparked my passion for gardening early on. I enjoy transforming my small backyard, experimenting with companion planting techniques and eco-friendly practices. Sustainability matters—I advocate for native plants and composting.
Table of Contents
Blackberry bushes are among the most popular fruit trees grown by home gardeners. And for good reason: they’re simple to grow and manage, they produce tasty berries that can be used in a variety of cuisines, and their beautiful blossoms attract pollinators. However, there are numerous plants that do not get along with blackberries! After reading this article, you will know the best blackberry companion plants and what plants you should not plant with blackberries.
What to Know Before Planting Blackberries
Blackberries require a lot of sunlight and water. They are also very delicate, so you must take precautions when watering them. Because blackberry plants don’t use much water, a drip system is probably the most convenient way to water them. Also, make sure that if there are any strong winds in your area, they don’t blow over or break off the branches on your blackberry plants, as they’re fairly fragile and can be easily destroyed by strong winds.1
Companion plants are plants or herbs that can be grown close to blackberries. These companions will help your berry bushes by providing a natural defense against pests and diseases. They can also make the fruit taste better!
Blackberry plants are naturally well-defended against many common pests and diseases, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep an eye out for problems.
Tips for Blackberry Companion Planting
Many companion plants can be used as a windbreak for these delicate bushes, and will encourage bees to pollinate your berries. Many of the brambles are self-fertile, meaning that they are able to fertilize themselves, but having nearby flowers will make pollination easier and ensure blooms every year. Blackberries have shallow roots and need good soil drainage in order to thrive. A well-draining soil is also beneficial for any companion plants growing alongside them.
Good Companions for Blackberries
Dill
Because it is an easy-to-grow annual, dill is frequently used as a shade plant for blackberries. Dill brings pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden. Dill is simple to cultivate and manage, so you don’t need much gardening skill to keep it healthy.
More about dill companion plants? Have a look at:
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are also great companion plants for blackberries since their vivid yellow petals attract a lot of pollinators. If you’re having trouble pollinating your blackberry crop, this can be a huge help. The tall stalks of the sunflower will provide shade and wind protection, which is an added benefit when it comes to producing your fruit. Sunflowers are also incredibly easy to grow and require very little upkeep. Simply plant some sunflowers alongside your blackberry bushes if you want to keep things simple!
They’re also a fantastic blackberry companion plant because they attract beneficial insects that help keep pests at bay, but also because their roots feed on the same nutrients (such nitrogen) as your berry vines, which means less competition for water and nutrients between your plants!
Lavender and Sage
Perennials like lavender and sage make wonderful blackberry companions since their aromatic oils repel pests while also attracting beneficial pollinators like honeybees!
Some more blackberry companion plants
Other plants you can use for blackberry companion planting:
- Marigolds – for pest control2
- Snapdragons and hollyhocks – for pollinators
- Hydrangeas – to attract birds
- Violets – lovely smell when crushed
What not to Plant with Blackberries
Consider growing your wet blackberry bushes away from other plants that attract nuisance insects such as aphids or moths. Blackberries have a powerful aroma that is frequently connected with the smell of fresh fruit—and it turns out that this scent may be produced by companion plants!
References
- Finn, C. E., & Clark, J. R. (2012). Blackberry. In Fruit breeding(pp. 151-190). Springer, Boston, MA.
- Hooks, C. R., Wang, K. H., Ploeg, A., & McSorley, R. (2010). Using marigold (Tagetes spp.) as a cover crop to protect crops from plant-parasitic nematodes. Applied Soil Ecology, 46(3), 307-320.