Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | Black | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Can be fan trained and tolerates most soils but does best in neutral or slightly acid soils, but needs sun to flower and fruit well. Mulch with well-rotted compost. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See blackberry cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by tip layering or from cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Edible fruit
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Cut out old canes following fruiting and tie in new canes; see pruning blackberries
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, raspberry beetle and gall mites
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.