Unique Features: This Oregon State University introduction is touted as the largest blackberry. When fully ripe the black conical fruit is 2” long and weighs in at about ½ ounce.  The white flowers bloom in April and the fruit ripens July through August. The fruit is firm, with a mildly sweet flavor that has hint of tartness. The fruit is ripe when it detaches from the stem with a slight twist. It is great for fresh eating, preserves and freezing. As with most Blackberries, the Columbia Giant is thornless, self-fertile and produces fruit on second year canes (floricanes).  It is also a trailing Blackberry, meaning the canes grow towards the ground, so unless you want to crawl around in a briar patch a trellis is in order. During the first year of growth, train the canes through the trellis. Then let them go dormant. In the next year they will produce spring flowers, and fruit in the summer.