What hardiness zones is Rubus laciniatus suitable for?

Rubus laciniatus is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Rubus laciniatus?

Rubus laciniatus requires Full Sun.

How much water does Rubus laciniatus need?

Rubus laciniatus has Medium water needs.

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Shrub

Rubus laciniatus

evergreen blackberry

Rosaceae

Europe (possibly a cultivated derivative of Rubus ulmifolius or a hybrid)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitSpreading

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height36-120 inches (90-300 cm)

Width60-180 inches (150-450 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancehigh

Overview

Rubus laciniatus is a vigorous, thorny, semi-evergreen shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) reaching 3–10 feet (0.9–3 m) tall with a 5–15 foot (1.5–4.5 m) spread, forming dense, impenetrable thickets via arching primocanes that root at the tips. Canes are biennial: first-year primocanes are vegetative, arching, 6–15 feet (1.8–4.5 m) long, rooting at the tips where they contact soil; second-year floricanes produce lateral flowering branches, then die. Canes are angular, with stout, hooked thorns. Leaves are palmately compound with 3–5 leaflets that are deeply and irregularly dissected (laciniate, cut into narrow lobes) — the primary distinction from R. armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry), which has broad, uncut leaflets. Foliage persists through mild winters (semi-evergreen). Flowers are white to pale pink, 0.8–1 inch (20–25 mm) across, five-petaled, in terminal and axillary clusters on floricanes. Fruit is a black aggregate drupe (blackberry), 0.6–0.8 inch (15–20 mm). Spread by tip-rooting canes, bird-dispersed seed, and root crown sprouting. Less aggressive than R. armeniacus but still forms dense thickets on roadsides, forest edges, and waste ground. Listed as a Class C noxious weed in Washington State.

Native Range

Native to Europe; possibly a cultivated derivative or hybrid involving Rubus ulmifolius. Introduced to North America in the mid-1800s for fruit production. Widely naturalized in the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades, particularly on roadsides, forest edges, fencerows, and disturbed sites.

Suggested Uses

Used in Rosaceae identification courses for teaching the biennial cane growth cycle (primocane/floricane), the aggregate drupe fruit type, and the five-petaled flower plan. The laciniate-versus-entire leaflet comparison between R. laciniatus and R. armeniacus is a primary identification exercise. The three-species Rubus comparison (native R. ursinus trailing, invasive R. laciniatus cutleaf, invasive R. armeniacus Himalayan) is a standard teaching unit. Fruit is edible and was the primary commercial blackberry variety in Oregon before modern cultivars.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry) by the deeply dissected (laciniate) leaflets with narrow, irregular lobes (versus broad, uncut leaflets with serrate margins). Both species have palmately compound leaves with 3–5 leaflets and arching thorny canes. Distinguished from native Rubus ursinus (trailing blackberry) by the erect to arching (versus trailing) canes, the palmately compound (versus trifoliate) leaves, and the much larger overall size. The deeply cut leaflets are immediately diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread5' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

SpringSummer

Flowers from May through July on second-year floricanes. Clusters of white to pink flowers bloom over 3–4 weeks. Pollinated by bees and other insects. Fruit ripens in July through August, approximately 6–8 weeks after pollination. In the Pacific Northwest, peak bloom occurs in June.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink

Foliage Description

Dark green, palmately compound with 3-5 deeply dissected (laciniate) leaflets; semi-evergreen, persisting through mild winters

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysiltsand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Listed as a Class C noxious weed in Washington State. Cane removal requires heavy protective clothing (leather gloves, long sleeves, eye protection) due to the stout hooked thorns. Cutting canes at ground level removes above-ground growth but the root crown resprouts. Digging the root crown to a depth of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) is necessary for permanent removal. Tip-rooted primocane ends must also be dug to prevent new colony establishment. Repeated cutting of resprouts over 2–3 growing seasons depletes root crown reserves. Less aggressive than R. armeniacus and more feasible to eradicate from small sites. Revegetation with competitive native shrubs and trees after removal prevents re-establishment.

Pruning

No pruning applicable in a weed context. Canes are cut at ground level and root crowns are dug. In managed berry production settings, spent floricanes are removed after fruiting (July–August), and primocanes are trained for the following year.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall

Maintenance Level

high

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic