Hello,

I just recently returned from a trip to western Washington state where I was surprised to learn that the wild blackberries there are treated almost like a noxious weed. My wife and I harvested about six gallons of them in about half an hour and made some amazing jam from them when we got home.

We life just outside of Spokane and there are very few options for blackberries around here. When you can find them, they are VERY expensive, around $3.00 per cup.

Since it seems I am now a blackberry addict, instead of paying outrageous prices, I would like to grow my own.

I am interested in winter hardy varieties that would work well in Zone 5(ish), I say 'ish' because even though the USDA map lists us as Zone 5, we tend to have weather that seems to vary in between 4 and 5.

I would like them to be Primocane type bushes, as I am a low maintenance type of guy :)

Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to your response.