Brian: There is no reason why the Apache blackberry should not do well in coastal South Carolina. I don't think I would be concerned about inadequate winter chilling hours, since this blackberry is grown as far south as Florida. Hot, humid summers is just what blackberries like, so long as the soil they are planted in is not allowed to dry out completely. I know that you have had an unusual dry period in SC this season, and in these conditions you would want to water the plants deeply about once a week, especially if your soil is light and sandy. But you can help this situation by mulching the plants with whatever organic mulch you can find, to help hold moisture in the soil and feed the plants. I use stable manure that consists of about 70% wood chips and 30% horse apples, but chips or sawdust from lumber mills, compost, or even grass clippings would be fine. I grow the trailing thornless Triple Crown and Doyle here, and we are picking their big berries right now, with the season extending to about the last week of August. Apache sounds as good or better than what I am growing, although it is hard to beat Doyle for total production. We just made our first batch of blackberry jelly tonight with a mix of these two varieties, and it is pretty good stuff. You can't buy anything of this flavor and quality. If you like blackberries, put your Apaches in this fall. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Thank for all your help. There's a lot more to growiing fruit trees than I expected the day I ordered. Brook, one problem is space. The area where I planned on planting the berries has a limited amount of room. The area itself is semi-large, 'don't have numbers,' but there's an 8x12' green house that takes quite a bit of room..The only other area they can be planted faces north w/some south and west sun, not a whole lot. Is north sufficient? Actually, I'd be happy with a pint of berries..lol. Effingham is a gorgeous town. We stopped there on the way to TN..it's quite beautiful. Effingham is farther south, a long way south. It's probably zone 5b or 6. Oregon. Actually, I considered raspberries, but the nursery was out of stock. I'm very confused. Aren't blackberry's similar to raspberries, only black in color? It's been a long time since I've eaten berries..our grocery store charges 5.99+ a pint!!! The spot I want to plant has pros and cons. The pro is, on either side of the garden are garages..in front is a fence, in back the gh. The con is, the buildings obstruct a fair amount of sun. On sunny days, the spot gets about 3 hours of direct sun. Olpea. I had doubts placing the berries in water, but we've had major storms, everyday the past week..the sun is out today though, but the earth is mud. When a plant arrives bare root, I usually soak roots a few hours...Think I made a mistake keeping the plants in water so long..it's been 2 days..but they're out now. When I Googled, some sites said most blackberries don't ship well. Roots dry to the point of death. That's what urged me to place in water..bad choice, huh? Ph was also mentioned, which is the reason I asked. But I've decided to let Mother Nature take over..they'll be planted in soil w/o amending. Frank, your berries are beautiful and so large. I've never seen berries that size. Congrats. Greg, you grow berries in containers? How are they overwiintered? Are they left outdoors or hauled in a protected area? If they can be kept outside year round, I might have better luck growing in pots. This way, I can keep them in a sunnier spot in summer, and protected in winter. You've been a great help, too. Lots of information. The ribbons are an excellent idea. I will definately keep this page and links posted for reference. Thanks so much. Grapes do well here. It took three tries, the third was a charm. I bought a Concord grape plant in a box..'8 or 9 yrs ago.' The second year little grapes formed. The following year, there were several clusters..The only problem was we never got to eat any. The birds got to them first. lol. I'm embarrassed admitting this, but I'd dug up the roots and planted an unedible plant..Hummingbird Vine. One year I planted a small patch of strawberries. Whatever type of strawberry it was, it's invasive. There are strawberry plants everywhere..lol. But w/two dogs that go wee-wee in the yard, we prefer not to eat them. I was disapponted anyway. Thought they'd have large fruit; they're medium in size. But sweet. Tasted fruit before dogs..lol BTW, TN is a beautiful state. We visited twice. Tullahoma. Unfortunately, each time was for wakes/funerals. But Tn climate is perfect. We went there in March. The weather was warm, people were planting..in IL, there was snow on the ground. lol. A big difference. Olpea..one reason I chose Apache was because it was stated it grows upright, fruits the second or third year, and doesn't take a lot of room. So, I believe you've got it...Apache grows upright, and if pruned won't grow over 10' tall. Thanks so much. One other thing. I also read blackberries shouldn't be planted where tomatoes, peppers, among a few other veggies have grown within the last three years. Since the area is dedicated to edibles, I've got both tomatoes and peppers in that section..Is this going to be a problem? What will happen? I don't understand the reason behind it. Thanks again. Toni

I have a caged plot 34' x 38' x 7' constructed with EMT and 3/4" chicken wire. My Apache Blackberries are under 50% shade cloth, I use a drip syatem with four (4) lines running through the plants. Water pressure is reduced to 25psi. I run it daily during the summer for 30 minutes. The plants have been in the ground for 3 yaers, grow like crazy here, weather gets up to 120f degrees and averaging high about 110f. Had an excellent crop this year, I have to trim them back almost weekly and am now cutting out the laterals that produced berries this year. Remember during the summer WATER, WATER, and more WATER. If they can grow in the Phoenix area I am sure they will produce in other hot areas. Don't forget the shade cloth at least 50%! Don't forget to fertilize in Spring and late July.

Try Tinker's database. Or try a web search with "Apache War Feather" plus name of hybridizier. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.