How to Grow and Care for Southern Dewberry

Southern dewberry is a low-growing, trailing bramble native to the southern United States. A member of the rose family, it is closely related to the blackberry and produces a similar edible fruit. This plant is valued for its sweet, juicy berries that are enjoyed fresh or used in various culinary preparations.

Identifying Southern Dewberry

A primary distinguishing feature of the southern dewberry is its growth habit. Unlike the upright canes of most blackberry species, the southern dewberry trails along the ground. Its stems spread horizontally, creating dense patches that reach a height of only two to three feet. These canes often have a reddish color and are covered in fine bristles and slender thorns.

The compound leaves have three to five leaflets with toothed edges, arranged in a star-like shape. Another identifier is its early flowering schedule, which is notably earlier than most blackberries. The white, five-petaled flowers appear singly and produce a fruit that is often smaller and rounder than a blackberry.

Natural Habitat and Range

Southern dewberry is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, with a range extending from Texas to Florida and north to Maryland and Kansas. The plant is commonly found in open, sunny environments like fields, roadsides, and forest edges. As an early successional species, it is one of the first plants to colonize open ground.

This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts to various well-drained soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It provides cover for wildlife year-round. Its leaves are browsed by deer and rabbits, while the fruits are a food source for songbirds, small mammals, and foxes. The flowers also attract butterflies and other insect pollinators.

Cultivating Southern Dewberry

Select a site with full sun for the best fruit production. The plant is adaptable to various soil types but thrives in well-drained loamy or sandy soil. When planting, space individual plants three to five feet apart to allow for their trailing growth. Amending the soil with compost provides necessary nutrients for healthy growth.

While the plant naturally trails, providing a trellis or other support structure is beneficial. Elevating the canes improves air circulation, which can help reduce fungal diseases. A trellis also makes harvesting easier and keeps the fruit clean.

Regular watering is important during dry periods to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Pruning can be performed to control the plant’s spread and remove old, unproductive canes, which encourages new growth and better fruit yields.

Harvesting and Using the Berries

The fruit of the southern dewberry offers a tart-sweet flavor. Ripe dewberries will be a deep, uniform purple-black color and feel soft to the touch. A fully ripe berry will detach easily from its stem with a gentle pull.

The harvesting season is in the spring, from April to May. Because the canes are covered in prickles, wearing gloves is advisable to protect your hands during picking. The versatile berries can be eaten fresh or used in recipes for jams, jellies, pies, and cobblers.