Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Blackberry bushes do die back in winter, but only partially, and how much they die back depends on the type you’re growing and where you live.
If you’ve been wondering whether blackberry bushes die back in winter because your canes look brown, brittle, or completely dead, you’re not alone.
Many gardeners panic when they see their blackberry bushes looking lifeless after a cold snap.
The truth is that blackberry bushes dying back in winter is a normal part of their growth cycle.
In this post, we’ll explore why blackberry bushes die back in winter, which parts actually die, how to tell the difference between dead and dormant canes, and what you should do to protect your plants.
Let’s dig in.
Why Blackberry Bushes Die Back in Winter
Blackberry bushes die back in winter for several reasons, and understanding them helps you care for your plants the right way.
1. Cold Temperatures Damage Tender Canes
The main reason blackberry bushes die back in winter is cold damage.
Blackberry canes contain water, and when temperatures drop below freezing, that water inside the plant cells can freeze.
When water freezes, it expands, and that expansion can rupture cell walls.
Once those cells are damaged, the cane tissue dies, which is why you see blackberry bushes die back after a harsh winter.
This is especially true for the tips of the canes, which are the most tender and exposed parts.
2. Some Blackberry Varieties Are More Tender Than Others
Not all blackberry bushes die back in winter to the same degree.
Varieties like thornless blackberries and trailing types tend to be less cold-hardy.
These blackberry bushes often die back to the ground in colder zones.
On the other hand, erect varieties and wild blackberries are usually tougher.
They may only experience tip dieback, where just the top portion of the canes dies.
So when you ask, “Do blackberry bushes die back in winter?”, the answer really depends on what type you’re growing.
3. Winter Desiccation Plays a Role Too
It’s not just freezing temperatures that cause blackberry bushes to die back in winter.
Winter desiccation, which is moisture loss from the canes, also damages them.
When the ground is frozen, the roots can’t take up water to replace what the canes lose through the wind and sun.
This is why blackberry bushes die back even when temperatures aren’t brutally cold.
Dry, windy winters are often harder on blackberry bushes than snowy ones.
How to Tell If Your Blackberry Bush Is Dead or Just Dormant
Just because your blackberry bushes look dead doesn’t mean they are.
Here’s how to tell the difference.
1. The Scratch Test
Use your fingernail or a small knife to gently scratch the surface of a cane.
If you see green tissue underneath, that cane is still alive.
If it’s brown and dry all the way through, that part of the blackberry bush has died back.
2. Look for New Growth in Spring
Blackberry bushes die back in winter, but they bounce back in spring.
If you see new shoots emerging from the crown or the base of the plant, your blackberry bush is alive and well.
3. Bend the Canes
Healthy canes bend without snapping.
Dead canes crack easily and feel hollow.
If the canes on your blackberry bushes snap like dry twigs, that section has died back.
Should You Cut Back Blackberry Bushes That Die Back in Winter?
Yes, you should prune blackberry bushes that die back in winter, but timing matters.
1. Wait Until Late Winter or Early Spring
Don’t prune blackberry bushes in the middle of winter.
Those dead canes actually provide some insulation for the crown.
Wait until late winter or early spring, just before new growth starts.
2. Remove Only the Dead Wood
Cut back only the parts of the blackberry bushes that have died.
If your blackberry bushes die back to the ground, cut all the way down to the soil line.
If only the tips died, trim back to healthy green tissue.
3. Dispose of the Dead Canes
Don’t leave diseased or dead canes lying around your blackberry bushes.
They can harbor pests and diseases that affect the new growth.
How to Protect Blackberry Bushes From Winter Dieback
You can’t stop winter from coming, but you can reduce how much blackberry bushes die back.
1. Mulch Around the Base
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of your blackberry bushes before winter.
This insulates the roots and crown, helping blackberry bushes survive the cold.
2. Choose Cold-Hardy Varieties
If blackberry bushes dying back in winter is a recurring problem, plant hardier varieties.
Look for types bred for your growing zone.
3. Provide Wind Protection
Windbreaks can reduce winter desiccation.
A simple burlap screen or planting near a fence can help blackberry bushes make it through winter with less damage.
So, Do Blackberry Bushes Die Back in Winter?
Blackberry bushes do die back in winter, but it’s usually not the end of the plant.
The canes may die back partially or completely, depending on the variety and how cold it gets.
The roots and crown survive, and blackberry bushes regrow in spring.
So don’t panic if your blackberry bushes look dead in January.
By spring, they’ll show you they’re very much alive.