Rubus ursinus ( Blackberry ) is a deciduous, fruiting plant that is native to the cold, temperate and sub-tropical climates of North America. Despite their thorny branches, Blackberries have become one the of the world’s most popular summer fruits. Fast-growing and drought-tolerant the plant itself can be used as a hedge, grown as a vine, and trained over archways.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Other names for Rubus ursinus include the Douglas Berry, Pacific Dewberry, California Blackberry, Pacific Blackberry and Trailing Blackberry. The names have much to do with the native range of the species which spreads from British Columbia in Canada to Baja California in Mexico.
The humble Blackberry is the ancestral father of popular berries such as Boysenberry, Youngberry, Primus Berry, Marionberry, Loganberry, Silvanberry and American Brambleberry.
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Growth
Rubus ursinus is a flowering deciduous shrub that grows to a compact height of up to 1.5 metre (5 feet) and as wide as 1.8 metres (6 feet). This species has thorny vines to protect itself from foragers and can sometimes become invasive if not aggressively pruned after the fruiting season. And although the plant is a perennial, each vine fruits biennially, meaning that it grows fresh stems every year but takes two years for them to flower and produce fruit.
Leaves are deciduous, meaning they die off before winter and grow back in the spring, and usually have anywhere between one and five leaflets. The prickly branches often take root if they touch soil which enables the plant to spread. Once established the Blackberry is both drought and frost tolerant.
The flowers are white with petals that are narrower than most species in the Rubus variety and have a very light fragrance. Rubus ursinus is hermaphrodite and so only requires the one plant to produce fruit. Sweet, edible fruits are the primary attraction and can be dark red, purple or black and reach a modest length of 2cm (less than an inch). The berries arrive during the summer period when plants have reached at least two years old.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Rosaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10°C to 35°C / 14 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining. Doesn’t do well in clayish soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Semi-Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.5 metre (5 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.8 metres (6 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous, Perennial but vines grow as biennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees and Insects
MATURITY:
2-3 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
90-95%
GERMINATION TIME:
Cold Stratification – 3 months and then 6-12 weeks germination
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium to Hard. Cold stratification & patience required.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT RUBUS URSINUS ( Blackberry )
In their native habitat, Blackberries attract a diverse range of wildlife such as songbirds, bears, and deer.
The botanical name Rubus ursinus is translated into the term Bramble Bear.
Teas made from the leaves of this species are recommended by herbalists as a diuretic and mild astringent. For more information regarding the medicinal value of Rubus ursinus visit this website.
