Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry)

Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry) is a beautiful, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub adorned with a dense foliage of velvety, maple-like, green leaves. From late spring to mid-summer, fragrant white flowers, 2 in. (5 cm), appear in showy clusters. They are followed by vibrant scarlet berries which mature in mid to late summer and compliment the lush foliage. The stems are thornless, making fruit harvest easier. Fruits may be eaten directly off the shrub or used to make flavorful jams and jellies. They are also valuable seasonal food for birds and mammals. The leaves turn brilliant orange to maroon shades in fall. While self-fertile, Thimbleberry will produce more berries if several shrubs are present. Native to western and northern North America, Thimbleberry is found in a range of habitats but prefers moist and open sites. It is found in shrublands, riparian zones, and deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests. It is most commonly found in riparian areas and along forest margins and is abundant in disturbed areas.

• Grows up to 4-8 ft. tall and wide (120-240 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in organically rich, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils. Can tolerate brief seasonal flooding.
• Perfect for informal hedges, bird and wildlife gardens, and erosion control on banks and slopes.
• Flowers and fruits are produced on two-year-old canes (previous season’s growth). Remove canes that have fruited immediately after the fruit is harvested, leaving the new non-fruiting canes to overwinter. Remove any non-fruiting canes that are crowded, spindly, or diseased. In late winter, remove any damaged canes and thin the remaining canes as needed, leaving only healthy, well-spaced canes.
• Watch out for leaf spots, anthracnose, botrytis, powdery mildew, spur blight, root rots, cane borers, and crown bores. Aphids can be troublesome.
• Propagate by dormant rhizome segments, stem cuttings, or seeds.
• Native to western and northern North America.
• Introduced in Europe and Australia, this species has become naturalized and invasive in some cases (Czechia, Latvia, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom). It is also listed as an invasive plant in Canada (British Columbia).