About

This medium-sized deciduous shrub with arching purplish prickly stems heavily bloomed white in winter, bearing pinnate leaves, dark green above and whitish beneath. Panicles of small purplish flowers and black fruits (inedible)

About the genus

Rubus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, often scrambling with bristly or prickly stems bearing simple, lobed, palmate or pinnate leaves and 5-petalled flowers followed by juicy, sometimes edible fruits

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Native toW China

Care notes

CultivationEasy to grow prickly, thicket forming, deciduous shrub; will grow in full sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 7
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)