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 |
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 |