Rubus

( RUE - buss )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Bramble, this genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs needs full sun to light shade and moderate water to perform and fruit well. Fruits produced by various shrubs are known as Raspberries, Bristleberries, Blackberries, and Dewberries. Birds will be drawn to the tasty berries. Many species are thornless and produce flowers that are followed by edible, juicy fruits. These plants need good drainage and will spread widely by rhizome. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as some species have thorns that are quite sharp and can puncture clothing and skin.

Rubus Species and Varietals

The genus Rubus has over 1,350 species and is a member of the plant family Rosaceae. The common name Bramble is derived from the Old English word, Braemel, which translates to 'bramble blackberry bush'. Bramble growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Rubus aboriginum (Garden Dewberry, Aboriginal Dewberry)
These plants are rambling shrubs are native to the United States and Mexico. They reach up to 6 feet tall and just as wide, but are often kept much smaller in home garden spaces. Leaves have serrated edges and are green, and flowers are white. Fruits are similar in looks to small blackberries.

Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny Blackberry)
This variable species forms thickets of plants that reach 5-8 feet tall when mature. These plants are shade intolerant, requiring full sun to perform well. Canes have many prickles. Flowers are white and berries that follow mature to deep violet-black in late summertime.

Rubus arcticus (Arctic Bramble, Arctic Raspberry, Nagoonberry, Nectarberry)
These slow-growing brambles are native to arctic and alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They have an unusual hardiness to frost and cold weather conditions, and produce pink, red, or magenta flowers followed by deep red to dark purple berries.

Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan Blackberry, Armenian Blackberry)
These plants are native to Armenia and northern Iran. They are perennial plants that bear biennial canes, and have dark green foliage with pale to whitish undersides. Leaf margins are toothed. Flowers are light pink to white, and fruits are dark purple to black.

Rubus caesius (Eurpean Dewberry)
These plants have a wide native distribution across Eurasia, and form small shrubs up to 7 feet tall. Stems are biennial, and runners are sent out from plant bases that root at their tips to form new plants. Stems are blue-grey and sometimes prickly. Flowers are white, blooming from June through September, and fruits that follow are black.

Rubus canadensis (Canadian Blackberry, Smooth Blackberry, Thornless Blackberry, Smooth Highbush Blackberry)
Native to central and eastern Canada and the eastern United States, these plants form thickets and reach up to 7-10 feet tall at maturity. Flowers are white, and berries are dark purple to black.

Rubus chamaemorus (Cloudberry, Nordic Berry, Bakeapple, Knotberry, Knoutberry, Aqpik, Low-Bush Salmonberry, Averin, Evron)
This species is native to the Northern Hemisphere, where it grows in mountainous areas and moorlands. They form herbaceous perennial plants that reach just 4-10 inches tall, and form white flowers followed by pale red fruits that mature to an amber color in early fall.

Rubus cockburnianus (White-Stemmed Bramble)
This species is endemic to China, and forms a shrub that reaches up to 10 feet tall. Smaller branches are reddish, hairless, and waxy and leaves are green and woolly underneath. Flowers are white and fruits that follow are purple black and under a third of an inch long.

Rubus coreanus (Bokbunja, Korean Blackberry, Korean Bramble)
Native to Korea, Japan, and China, these plants are cultivated for their fruits which are fermented into wine. They are a bit finicky, and really only do well in cultivation in a specific range in Korea. Flowers are white and fruits are typically harvested between May and July.

Rubus flagellaris (Northern Dewberry, Common Dewberry)
Native to Canada, the United States, and Mexico, these plants reach up to between 8 and 15 feet tall and produce green foliage. Flowers are white, and berries emerge bright red and mature to black or dark purple. Tips of young stems will sometimes root where they touch soil. Fruits have a tart-sweet flavor.

Rubus fraxinifolius (Mountain Raspberry, Rogimot)
These shrubs are native to tropical islands in southeast Asia. They reach up to 6-10 feet tall, and typically grow on riverbanks and roadsides. Stems are furry, and foliage is green. Flowers are white, and fruits are present from December to March. Berries are orange-red and edible, though do not have much of a flavor.

Rubus hispidus (Swamp Dewberry, Bristly Dewberry, Bristly Groundberry, Groundberry, Hispid Swamp Blackberry, Running Swamp Blackberry)
This North American species forms a shrubby plant that prefers to grow in moist to dry soils in open woods and ditches. Flowers form in small clumps and are white with marrow petals. Fruits that follow mature to dark purple to black. Berries are considered bitter for culinary use, and plants are generally not cultivated.

Rubus idaeus (Raspberry, Red Raspberry, European Red Raspberry)
These red-fruited plants are native to Europe and northern Asia, though are cultivated in many areas around the world. They are vigorous perennial plants that reach up to over 8 feet tall and produce green foliage with toothed or serrated edges. Fruits are sweet and aromatic. 

Rubus laciniatus (Cutleaf Evergreen Blackberry, Evergreen Blackberry)
Native to Eurasia, these plants are considered invasive in many other areas of the world. They are deciduous plants, and form shrubs up to 10 feet tall with palmately compound leaves. Fruits are similar to common blackberries, with a fruitier flavor. 

Rubus leucodermis (Whitebark Raspberry, Blackcap Raspberry, Blue Raspberry)
These plants are native to western North America, and form deciduous shrubs up to 1.5-8 feet tall. Tips of canes will root and form layers that become new plants. Fruits are up to 1/2 inch in diameter and are red to reddish-purple, maturing to black.
Rubus occidentalis (Black Raspberry, Bear's Eye Blackberry, Black Cap, Black Cap Raspberry, and Scotch Cap)
These deciduous shrubs are native to eastern areas of North America, and reach between 6.6 and 10 feet tall when mature. Canes can be upright or arching and have curved, sharp thorns. The center for cultivation for 
'Black Hawk'
'Bristol'
'Cumberland'
'Jewel'
'Logan'
'Munger'

Rubus odoratus (Purple-Flowered Raspberry, Flowering Raspberry, Virginia Raspberry, Thimbleberry)
These plants are native to eastern North America, and reach up to 10 feet tall. Stems are perennial, not biennial, and do not have thorns. Flowers are magenta (occasionally white) and bloom from early spring through fall. Fruits are red and mature in late summer and fall.

Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry, Redcap)
These plants are native to temperate zones in North America, and form shrubs up to 8 feet tall with thin canes. Flowers are white with pale yellow stamens, and berries that follow are edible and bright red, mature in mid- to late summer.

Rubus pensilvanicus (Pennsylvania Blackberry)
These prickly plants are native to eastern and central North America. Canes emerge green and mature to dark red, and leaves are green. Flowers are white, and emerge in the middle of spring, followed by edible red berries that mature to black.

Rubus phoenicolasius (Japanese Wineberry, Wine Raspberry, Wineberry, Dewberry)
These plants are native to China, Japan, and Korea and have been introduced to many areas of North America. They are perennials that bear green leaves, white flowers, and orange-red edible berries in summer to early fall.

Rubus pubescens (Dwarf Red Blackberry, Dwarf Red Raspberry, Dewberry)
These herbaceous perennial plants are widespread across Canada and the northern United States. They are subshrubs that reach up to 12 inches tall. Flowers are white, and are followed by shiny red fruits in early July. Fruits are sweet and juicy, used in jellies and jams.

Rubus rolfei (Rubus pentalobus, Rubus calycinoides)
This commonly-grown species is evergreen and grows well in zones 4-6 and 14-17. It is native to the mountains of Taiwan and has thickly foliaged stems that spread to form a dense carpet about a foot tall. Flowers are small and white, and are followed by salmon-colored berries. Variety 'Emerald Carpet' has great foliage that turns red in cooler temperatures in fall; it makes a wonderful groundcover for areas in full sun to partial shade.

​Rubus saxatilis (Stone Bramble, Roebuck Berry)
Widespread across much of Eurasia, these wild plants produce green foliage and loosely aggregate red fruits. These plants typically form dense clumps of plants, spreading by runners. The berries are edible raw or cooked, and have an acidic flavor.

Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
This species of Bramble is native to the west coast of North America, and bears edible fruits. Plants reach up to 13 feet tall with a 30-foot wide spread. Foliage is green, and flowers are pinkish-purple and bloom in April and May. Fruits that follow are typically harvested May through late July and are orange-red in color.

Rubus ulmifolius (Elmleaf Blackberry, Thornless Blackberry, Zarzamora)
Native to Europe and North Africa, these plants have become naturalized in California, Australia, and southern areas in South America. The species forms a brambly shrub that has the potential to reach up to 17 feet tall. Leaves are palmately compound and green, and flowers are typically pink (sometimes white). Fruits are dark purple to black.

Rubus ursinus (California Blackberry, California Dewberry, Douglas Berry, Pacific Blackberry, Pacific Dewberry, Trailing Blackberry)
These plants are widespread in the western areas of North America, and forma mounding shrub or vining plant to between 2 and 5 feet tall. Branches are prickly and root where they touch soil. Flowers are white with narrow petals and fruits that follow mature to deep red.

Caring for and pruning rubus shrubs

Plant Bramble shrubs in full sun, where they will produce the most fruit. Make sure Bramble shrubs are getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun per day at minimum. ​For groundcover types, plant about 2 feet apart for best coverage. Plant in well-draining soil amended with organic matter. Water these shrubs regularly, especially during the warm, dry months of the year. Deep, infrequent waterings are better than shallow, frequent waterings. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil moisture retention. Pruning is essential to manage the growth of these shrubs; they are best pruned shortly after they finish flowering and fruiting. Good pruning can also improve air circulation in the center of the plant, and promote flowering and fruiting. Remove diseased or dead canes when they appear. Fertilize these shrubs yearly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support flowering and fruiting. An issue with some species of Rubus is that they can get a bit unmanageable; they spread via suckers seemingly indefinitely. This issue can be partially solved by planting your Rubus shrub in a container, but even then, sometimes the plant will escape and start colonizing your yard.

Propagation

Rubus shrubs can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Rubus, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Rubus by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In wintertime after the plant has begun to shed its foliage, choose the shrub that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that it has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 to 8 inch hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch, making sure it includes buds. Strip the leaves off of the lower portion, leaving only a few at the top. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Rubus by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your fruit. Rubus seeds are contained inside of the fruit; there are many seeds per individual fruit (it is an aggregate fruit). Remove the seeds from the fruit with a knife, or smash the fruit and extract the seeds. The seeds are very tiny, so make sure you have a way of keeping track of them while you're working to extract them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes about 14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled (about two weeks after they have sprouted), transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
 
Propagating Rubus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth).To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.

Rubus seeds are contained within the fruits produced by the shrub.
Rubus seeds.

Problems and Pests

These shrubs can be susceptible to various pests and diseases, including:
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Fungal Diseases
For more information on these issues, including how to eradicate them, see the following links:
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Gallery

Rubus shrubs can be grown in the ground or in containers.
There are creeping varieties of Rubus available.
Rubus flowers have many ovaries.

Videos

All about Wineberries!
Pruning basics for Rubus shrubs.
How to grow Rubus plants.
How to identify Raspberry shrubs.

Resources

Growing Raspberries in the Home Garden
How to Grow and Care for Rubus
Rubus L. (Blackberry and Raspberry) PDF
Rubus
Wikipedia: Rubus
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 579, Rubus
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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