Rubus odoratus

Product Info

Purple Flowering Raspberry ( Rubus odoratus)
Rose Family

This raspberry has 2-3’, very showy, bright purple flowers that bring a wealth of nectar to the summer landscape. The flowers are very fragrant and tend to bloom for a long period of time. The maple-shaped leaves are equally attractive, keeping the bright green color through the growing season, before turning yellow for fall. Like most species in the rose family, this is a suckering shrub and can form dense thickets over time when happy. Plants can be grown in full sun to partial shade in a wide range of soils. They are happiest in part sun, and in rich, moist soil. They do not tolerate dense clay very well, and soil should be amended if it must be planted in clay. Fruits are edible, but tend to be on the dry side. Animals don’t mind the taste and will devour the late summer fruit. Use this species for erosion control on steep banks, as part of a diverse thicket, or as a standout woodland garden plant.

Blooms:  Purple, 4-6 weeks, June-Aug
Leaves: Large, maple-shaped leaves are dense and highly attractive, turn yellow in fall
Height: 3-6’ 
Space: 6-10’
Soil: Average-Moist, somewhat rich
Exposure:  Full sun-Part sun-Part shade
Fauna: High value-flowers are long blooming and full of nectar, attract many kinds of insects, fruit & habitat for animals, moth host plant
Seeds: Seeds are enclosed in small, bright red fruit that are shaped like mushroom caps, edible, but not particularly tasty
Deer Resistance: Medium
Zone: 3-8
Native Status: NC native, common in the Mtns.
Provenance: NC, seed grown