Erect

• Erect varieties of blackberries are self-supporting, provided you prune them during the summer and keep them at a height of 3 to 4 feet. Erect varieties may or may not have thorns. They produce fruit about two weeks to one month earlier and are more cold tolerant than trailing or semi-trailing varieties. Choctaw, Brazos, Cheyenne, Cherokee and Shawnee are thorny, erect varieties of blackberries. Arapaho, Apache and Navajo are erect varieties that are thornless.
  
  

Trailing

• Trailing varieties may also be called dewberries. The canes have thorns, are sensitive to cold and are less vigorous than other varieties. Trellis trailing varieties on a support system at least 5 feet tall and wide enough to fan out the shoots. Do not prune or trim trailing varieties during the growing season. Clean out old canes during the dormant season. Oklawaha and Flordagrand are two trailing varieties.
  
  

Semis

• Semi-trailing, or semi-erect, varieties are thornless and require trellising. These varieties are cultivated similarly to trailing varieties but tend to be more cold tolerant than the trailing varieties. Black Satin, Hull, Chester and Triple Crown are semi-trailing/semi-erect varieties.
  
  

Primocanes

• Blackberries begin bearing fruit the year after planting. During the first season, the primocanes produce flowers but no fruit. During the second season, these canes are called floricanes and produce flowers as well as fruit before dying. In 2004, the University of Arkansas released the first blackberries that produce fruit on primocanes. Primocane-fruiting blackberries are erect thorny types. Prime Jim, Prime Jan and Prime Ark are primocane-fruiting varieties.