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Rubus squarrosus

leafless lawyer

An evergreen shrub forming a mound of tangled stems up to around 50cm tall in cultivation. The green stems bear small, scattered yellowish-white prickles and sparse 'skeletonised' leaves with the leaf blade being reduced to virtually nothing giving a thread-like appearance. In summer, small, yellowish flowers may be borne in panicles up to 15cm long; orange-red fruits are rarely seen in this country

Other common names
bush lawyer
yellow-prickled lawyer
Synonyms
Rubus cissoides var. pauperatus

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green Yellow Green
Autumn Green Green
Winter Green Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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

Plant range
New Zealand

How to grow

Cultivation

Easily grown in a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Unlikely to produce flowers if grown in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings or by tip layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 1 if required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)

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