Rubus adspersus
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
Synonyms
Rubus adspersusRubus 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
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H6Botanical 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)
Get involved
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