Blackberry vs Boston Fern

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus

Rosaceae · shrubs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Blackberry (Zones 5-9)

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Blackberry	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Rubus fruticosus	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Rosaceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	shrubs	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	3'
Spread	4'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	White	None
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	North America, Europe	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Blackberry

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Blackberry

✓Provide trellis for trailing types.
✓Remove fruited canes after harvest.
✓Thornless varieties available.
✓Tip-prune primocanes in summer.
✓Very invasive if not managed.

Boston Fern

✓Mist frequently or use humidity tray.
✓Water when top inch of soil is dry.
✓Keep away from heating vents.
✓Trim brown fronds at base.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Blackberry if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Boston Fern if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with high water in zones 9–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BlackberryProfile →View Boston FernProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Blackberry and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Blackberry grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Boston Fern grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 9.

Do Blackberry and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Blackberry needs full sun and medium water, while Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Blackberry or Boston Fern?

Blackberry grows taller at 6' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Blackberry spreads 4' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Blackberry and Boston Fern deer resistant?

Boston Fern is deer resistant, but Blackberry is not. If deer are a concern, Boston Fern is the better choice, or protect Blackberry with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Blackberry or Boston Fern?

Blackberry has low maintenance while Boston Fern has medium maintenance. Blackberry may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Blackberry	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Rubus fruticosus	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Rosaceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	shrubs	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	6'	3'
Spread	4'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	White	None
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	North America, Europe	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Blackberry

✓Provide trellis for trailing types.
✓Remove fruited canes after harvest.
✓Thornless varieties available.
✓Tip-prune primocanes in summer.
✓Very invasive if not managed.

Boston Fern

✓Mist frequently or use humidity tray.
✓Water when top inch of soil is dry.
✓Keep away from heating vents.
✓Trim brown fronds at base.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Blackberry if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Boston Fern if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with high water in zones 9–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Blackberry and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Blackberry grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Boston Fern grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 9.

Do Blackberry and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Blackberry needs full sun and medium water, while Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Blackberry or Boston Fern?

Blackberry grows taller at 6' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Blackberry spreads 4' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Blackberry and Boston Fern deer resistant?

Boston Fern is deer resistant, but Blackberry is not. If deer are a concern, Boston Fern is the better choice, or protect Blackberry with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Blackberry or Boston Fern?

Blackberry has low maintenance while Boston Fern has medium maintenance. Blackberry may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.