when they say dont plant blackberries and raspberries nearby are they talking about black raspberries

Yes — usually they mean black raspberries , not blackberries. The common warning is about planting black raspberries too close to red raspberries because black raspberries are more vulnerable to viruses that red raspberries can carry without obvious symptoms.

What the warning means

• Blackberries and raspberries can often grow near each other with less concern than people think, though some gardeners still separate them to reduce disease risk.

• Black raspberries and red raspberries are the pairing that gets the strongest “keep them apart” advice.

• The reason is mostly disease transmission , especially via aphids and sometimes shared tools or nearby infected plants.

Practical rule

If a label, guide, or forum post says “don’t plant blackberries and raspberries nearby,” it’s often a simplified warning that really means:

• keep black raspberries away from red raspberries ,
• and, if possible, keep all brambles spaced out to reduce disease pressure.

Easy way to think about it

• Black raspberries = the most caution
• Red raspberries = can be silent carriers
• Blackberries = sometimes included in broad warnings, but usually not the main concern

Bottom line

So yes, in many cases people are talking about black raspberries , not just blackberries. If you have a specific planting layout, I can help you judge whether it’s close enough to be a problem.