Rubus
( RUE - buss )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Bramble, this genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs needs full sun to light shade and moderate water to perform and fruit well. Birds will be drawn to the tasty berries. Many species are thornless and produce flowers that are followed by edible, juicy berries. These plants need good drainage and will spread widely by rhizome. Bramble shrubs include plants like blackberries, raspberries, and dewberries.
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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. Bramble growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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. |
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. 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
Propagating Rubus by Seed
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:
Propagating Rubus by Cutting
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments.
- 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.
- 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.
Problems and Pests
These shrubs can be susceptible to various pests and diseases, including:
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Fungal Diseases
Gallery
Videos
All about Wineberries!
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Pruning basics for Rubus shrubs.
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How to grow Rubus plants.
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How to identify Raspberry shrubs.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 579, Rubus
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