Alphabetical Plant Listing

Rubus odoratus (Flowering Raspberry)

Purple-flowering Raspberry, Thimbleberry, Flowering Raspberry, Sweet-Scented Bramble, Virginia raspberry


Rubus odoratus (Flowering Raspberry) is a strong-growing, deciduous shrub forming a thicket of erect stems clothed with palmate, 5-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves, 4-10 in. wide (10-25 cm), becoming pale yellow in the fall. The stems are thornless, unlike many other rubus species. From early to late summer, a ravishing display of large, fragrant, rich pink-purple flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), can be enjoyed. Resembling single roses, they are borne singly or in few-flowered clusters above the handsome foliage. They are followed by small, fuzzy, purplish-red raspberries, which are edible, but tend to be insipid. However, they are valuable seasonal food for songbirds, game birds, or large and small mammals. Relatively immune to pests and diseases, Flowering Raspberry spreads rapidly from creeping, underground stems and can form large colonies. A good plant for natural area or wildflower garden.

  • Grows up to 3-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and 6-12 ft. wide (180-360 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils.
  • Good choice for banks and slopes, hedging and screens, cottage gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Prune immediately after fruiting. Propagate by division in autumn.
  • Native to eastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 7
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Rubus - Brambles
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 3' – 6' (90cm – 180cm)
Spread 6' – 12' (180cm – 3.6m)
Spacing 96" – 144" (240cm – 360cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

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By Madlen, Gerry Bishop (Shutterstock)

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 1 – 7
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Rubus - Brambles
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 3' – 6' (90cm – 180cm)
Spread 6' – 12' (180cm – 3.6m)
Spacing 96" – 144" (240cm – 360cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

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