Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush

Rubus x 'Baby Cakes'

Bushel and Berry®

Dwarf Thornless Canes Yield Full-Sized Berries on Compact Baby Cakes Blackberry Plants
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
Grows 4 ft Tall and Wide
Showy White Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
Ideal for Mass Planting or Barrier

$42⁸³

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give your Baby Cakes® Blackberry full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct light daily. Plenty of sunshine ensures the sweetest berries and the most vigorous growth; too much shade will reduce your harvest.
Soil: This bush prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay or sandy soil, amend it with compost or peat moss to improve drainage and moisture retention, or simply plant it in a patio container with high-quality potting mix.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first season while the roots are establishing and whenever the plant is flowering or fruiting. Once established, it has some drought tolerance, but inconsistent watering can lead to smaller, tart berries or fruit drop. Using a layer of mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool.

Pruning Tips

This thornless variety produces fruit on second-year canes (floricanes), so you should prune out the canes that have finished fruiting right after you harvest. In late winter or early spring, you can also remove any dead or damaged wood to keep the bush tidy and encourage new growth. Regular pruning keeps the plant productive and prevents it from becoming overcrowded.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to appear. Avoid fertilizing late in the growing season, as this can push tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Disease resistant, Edible, Flowering, Self-pollinating
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	4 ft
Width	4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Trailing, Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Rubus x 'APF-236T'
Species	x
Cultivar	APF-236T
Class	Rosales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

Pint-Size Bushel and Berry® Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush!

Dark Full-Sized Fruit
Sweet & Delicious Berries
Two Crops a Season in Certain Locales
Full-Sized Fruit on a Compact Plant
Dwarf Thornless Canes
Cheery White Self-Fruitful Blooms
Darling Ornamental Edible!
Up to Two Harvests Each Summer!
Pies, Preserves & Fresh Eating!
Perfect for Patio Pots
Use in Patio Plantings
Great Gift Plant!
Disease-Resistant
400 Chill Hours

Pluck a breakfast of delicious, healthy blackberries without making a pricey trip to the Farmer's Market! Imagine walking out to your balcony or porch and gathering large, sweet berries without fear of pricked fingers or snagged sleeves from dagger-sharp thorns!

Grow this exceptional dwarf bush-type for a very convenient harvest! You'll also be pleased with the cute good looks of the fruiting Bushel and Berry® Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush (Rubus x 'APF-236T' PP# 27,032).

With textured green leaves, pretty white spring blooms and a showy fruiting display, Baby Cakes® Blackberry plants are an easy way to maximize small space gardens. The fruit is held high on top of the plant instead of being hidden away in the center of the bush

Enjoy some of the best blackberries for the home gardener every year. You can count on Baby Cakes® Blackberry because the internationally applauded University of Arkansas program tested this thornless, petite variety for years for performance, size, beauty, taste and ease.

In most regions, Baby Cakes® Blackberry will produce twice in one season over the hot summer months, giving you double the harvest! It produces on second-year canes, so be patient with it the first year.

How to Use Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush In The Landscape

As ornamental as it is tasty, these compact tiny plants have a world of unique possibilities within the landscape! Grow them in full sun at the front of your mixed garden border or in a stylish large container on your deck.

The lovely white spring blooms give way to the glossy, beautiful berries, plus the lovely foliage works as a fantastic backdrop for both! Cheery and adorably sized, you can tuck this compact plant into porch and balcony pots or around your patio for some unique dual-purpose landscaping!

Imagine coming home from a long day to these little gems dangling from one of your pots on your front porch or one growing by a sunny reading nook on your balcony to pluck healthy snacks straight from the bush between pages!

Once it starts producing, the big, juicy berries will wow you year after year. Bland, store-bought blackberries will pale in comparison. Although it will produce fruit with only one plant...order multiples to increase the size of your crops. Trust us, once you taste them...you'll want more for fresh eating, baking and smoothies.

These fantastic berries have loads of flavor and impart that classic taste to your jams and jellies, pies and pastries, as well as the juiciest blackberry pies you can imagine!

Be proud of this choice! Baby Cakes® is a fun, long-lived plant gift to share with family and friends to increase their food security.

#ProPlantTips For Care

Fruiting bushes and plants do require full sun for the most blooms and therefore the most fruit! Hardy in USDA growing zones 4 through 8, these easy-care plants are best pruned right after fruiting since these bushes fruit on last year’s growth.

Plant in rich, fertile, well-drained soil for best results and use a good slow-release fertilizer for fruiting and berry bushes such as Dr. Earth Natural Wonder Fruit Tree & Berries 3 Step Fertilizer Kit! Provide a generous layer of mulch over the roots for better insulation and for moisture retention.

Provide consistent, moderate moisture throughout the growing season, keeping tabs on your moisture in planters and pots especially during summer’s heat and prevent the root ball from drying out too much in the winter.

Add Nature Hills Root Booster to your order for a time-tested formula that supports the critical root system over the entire life of your fruiting plants! Head over to our Garden Blog for some great tips and tricks for successful Edible Landscaping today!

Disease-resistant and self-fruitful, you’ll gain so much more than you need to invest into these fantastic fruiting shrubs! Order Bushel and Berry® Baby Cakes® Thornless Blackberry Bush from the small fruit experts at NatureHills.com today!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush makes an excellent addition to any collection of shrubs and flowering shrubs, thriving in zone 4 plants, trees & shrubs through zone 7 plants, trees & shrubs. For successful cultivation, check out our comprehensive guide on Fruiting Bushes & Shrubs: Planting, Pruning & Care Tips and learn proper maintenance techniques with our Timing for Pruning Flowering Shrubs resource.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How fast do blackberry bushes grow?

Blackberry bushes typically grow 1-2 feet per year once established. Baby Cakes® produces fruit on second-year canes, so expect your first harvest in year two. Plant in full sun and be patient the first season while roots develop.

How many blackberry plants per person?

One Baby Cakes® blackberry bush produces enough fruit for 1-2 people, yielding two harvests per season in most areas. Since these compact plants work well in containers, start with one plant per person and expand based on your family's berry consumption. Shop at Nature Hills for this space-saving variety.

How much sun does a blackberry bush need?

Blackberry bushes need full sun for optimal fruit production and plant health. Baby Cakes® performs best with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Place it at the front of garden borders or in containers where it won't be shaded by taller plants.

What USDA hardiness zones can the Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush survive in?

Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush thrives in USDA zones 4-8 with its 400 chill hour requirement. This dwarf variety handles both cold winters and hot summers well. Plant in full sun for best fruit production and winter hardiness.

How tall and wide will this blackberry bush get when fully mature?

Baby Cakes® Blackberry stays compact at 3-4 feet tall and wide when mature. This dwarf variety is specifically bred for small spaces and containers, making it perfect for patios and balconies. Plant in full sun and shop at Nature Hills for this space-saving berry producer.

How often should I water my Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush and how much water does it need?

Water Baby Cakes® Blackberry weekly with 1-2 inches, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Container plants need more frequent watering, especially during fruiting season. Check soil moisture 2 inches down and water when it feels dry.

Are Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bushes deer resistant or do I need to protect them?

Baby Cakes® Blackberry bushes are not deer resistant and will need protection in areas with deer pressure. Deer find blackberry foliage quite appealing, especially the tender new growth. Install fencing or use deer repellent sprays to protect your harvest.

Does this variety require pruning and if so, when and how should I prune it?

Baby Cakes® produces fruit on second-year canes, so minimal pruning is needed. In late winter or early spring, remove any dead, damaged, or weak canes at ground level. After harvest, you can optionally trim spent fruiting canes to encourage new growth for next season's crop.

Baby Cakes® Blackberry Bush

Rubus x 'Baby Cakes'