Rubus hayata-koidzumii
creeping raspberry
Taiwan; mountain forests and shaded rocky slopes
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Overview
Rubus hayata-koidzumii is a prostrate trailing evergreen perennial growing 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall and 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) wide over 2-3 years. Stems root at the nodes to form a dense ground-covering carpet. Leaves are glossy dark green, deeply crinkled (rugose), rounded to heart-shaped, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide, with a quilted puckered surface texture. Stems are thornless, which separates it from the thorny brambles typical of Rubus. Small white 5-petaled flowers, 0.5 inch (1.3 cm), appear singly at the nodes in May-June over 4 weeks. Sparse small edible black aggregate berries, 0.3 inch (8 mm), follow but berry production is infrequent in cultivation. Native to mountain forests of Taiwan. Requires consistent moisture and is not drought-tolerant; this moisture requirement is the principal cultural limitation. Hardy to about 0°F (-18°C), corresponding to zone 7. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic.
Native Range
Native to Taiwan, in mountain forests and shaded rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown as an evergreen shade ground cover, in rock gardens, and in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L), spaced 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) apart. The thornless rugose foliage suits shaded ground-cover plantings under shrubs and trees. Not adapted to dry sites or full sun in hot-summer regions. Hardy in zones 7-10.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Late spring to early summer (May-June). White 5-petaled flowers, 0.5 inch (1.3 cm), appear singly at the nodes over 4 weeks. Bee-visited. Sparse small edible black aggregate berries, 0.3 inch (8 mm), follow but berry production is infrequent in cultivation.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white, small, 5-petaled, 0.5 inch (1.3 cm), solitary at nodes; May-June; followed by small edible black aggregate berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) — sparse and infrequent in cultivationFoliage Description
glossy dark green, deeply crinkled (rugose), rounded to heart-shaped, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm), with a quilted puckered texture; thornless stems separate it from most Rubus; evergreen year-roundGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Site in part shade to full shade (2-5 hours direct sun) in moist acidic soil with a pH of 5.0-6.5. Requires consistent moisture; not drought-tolerant — sustained dry conditions cause leaf drop. Stems are thornless. Trim runners at the planting boundary in early spring (March-April) to limit lateral spread. Mature ground cover is reached in 2-3 years. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Hardy in zones 7-10.Pruning
Trim edges in early spring (March-April) to control lateral spread of rooting stems. Remove brown or damaged foliage as it appears. Within the planting area, no other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons