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Shrubs

Rubus ulmifolius

bramble

A vigorous, fast-growing shrub with arching, sometimes thorny stems to 2.5m long, and ovate, lightly toothed green leaves with white felting underneath. Produces clusters of rounded pink flowers in summer which are followed by small, dry fruits in autumn

Synonyms

Rubus rusticanus

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
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
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in any soil in full sun or partial shade. The native species is often considered a weed; hybrid cultivars have been developed with more ornamental value and better fruit.

Propagation

Propagates by seed, and stem tips can root into soil to produce new plants

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Hand pulling and digging out young seedlings can prevent dense clumps from developing

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds

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