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Fruit EdibleClimber Wall ShrubSynonym

Rubus andegavensis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

blackberry

Vigorous, thorny scramblers with pink or white flowers in summer followed by edible, aromatic black fruit. The dark green leaves with three leaflets can provide good autumn tints. It is a valuable plant for wildlife, providing food and shelter. It is also an original parent of all cultivated blackberries and modern hybrids

Other common names
bramble
bumble-kites
see morecommon blackberry
common bramble
Synonyms
Rubus adspersus
Rubus albionis
see moreRubus andegavensis
Rubus bartonii
Rubus bertramii
Rubus bloxamii
Rubus boraeanus
Rubus campaniensis
Rubus condensatus
Rubus coombensis
Rubus dasyphyllus
Rubus dentatifolius
Rubus egregious
Rubus frederici
Rubus fuscus
Rubus imbricatus
Rubus insectifolius
Rubus leightonii
Rubus leyanus
Rubus lindebergii
Rubus longithyrsiger
Rubus mucronatiformis
Rubus platyacanthus
Rubus pruinosus
Rubus questieri
Rubus saltuum
Rubus scaber
Rubus scabripes
Rubus scissus
Rubus silvaticus
Rubus integribasis
Rubus sprengelii
Rubus subinermoides
Rubus tamarensi
Rubus troiensis
Rubus venetorum
Rubus winteri
Rubus borreri
Rubus cf. integribasis
Rubus sprengelli
Rubus plicatus
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink White Green
Autumn Orange Red Black
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

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

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing
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
Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Can be fan-trained to provide fruit, but more suited to a wildlife garden. Tolerates most soils and situations, but need sun to flower and fruit well. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See also blackberry cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by tip layering, which it does naturally

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Cutting out old canes, and shortening new ones, helps retain some measure of control but plants may need cutting to the ground every few years

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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

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