RUBUS OCCIDENTALIS / BLACK RASPBERRY

RUBUS OCCIDENTALIS / BLACK RASPBERRY

A Native Shrub with Sweet Fruit and Wildlife Benefits

Rubus occidentalis, commonly known as Black Raspberry, is a native deciduous shrub valued for its sweet black berries, attractive foliage, and ecological benefits. Thriving in full sun with well-drained soils, Black Raspberry is ideal for naturalized landscapes, edible gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings. Its fast growth, delicious fruit, and pollinator-friendly flowers make it a versatile and productive native plant.

Why Choose Black Raspberry?

Delicious Edible Fruit: Produces sweet black berries perfect for fresh eating, preserves, and desserts.
Wildlife Friendly: Flowers attract bees and butterflies, while berries provide food for birds and mammals.
Fast-Growing & Hardy: Establishes quickly and adapts to a variety of soil types.
Low-Maintenance Native Plant: Excellent for naturalized landscapes and ecological plantings.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green compound leaves; yellow to red in fall.
Flower Color: Small white flowers in late spring.
Fruit: Black, flavorful berries in mid to late summer.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 3–6 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–8.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates sandy, loam, or slightly acidic soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 3–6 feet tall and wide.
Growth Habit: Upright deciduous shrub with trailing and erect canes.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8.
Flowering/Fruiting: Flowers in late spring; berries in mid to late summer.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn yellow to red.

Ideal Uses:

Edible Gardens: Harvest fresh fruit or use for jams, jellies, and desserts.
Wildlife Plantings: Supports pollinators and provides berries for birds and small mammals.
Naturalized Landscapes: Perfect for woodland edges, hedgerows, and meadows.
Restoration Projects: Establishes quickly in disturbed or open sites.

Black Raspberry is a productive and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its sweet fruit, wildlife benefits, and adaptability make it an excellent choice for edible landscapes, pollinator gardens, and naturalized native plantings.