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Rubus parvifolius

small-leaf bramble

Rosaceae Eastern Asia and Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Rubus parvifolius, the small-leaf bramble or native raspberry, is a low, scrambling prickly shrub in the family Rosaceae found across eastern Asia and eastern Australia. Arching, reddish canes 1-5 feet (0.3-1.5 m) high and 3-8 feet (1-2.5 m) wide are armed with small curved prickles and clamber over other plants or trail along the ground, rooting where the tips touch soil. The compound leaves carry three to five rounded, toothed leaflets, green above and densely white-hairy beneath. Pink five-petalled flowers about 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) across open in loose clusters from spring into summer. They ripen to small red aggregate fruits like a raspberry, 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) across, which are edible and sweet and are taken by birds. The species grows along forest margins, creek banks, and disturbed clearings on a range of soils. Its prickly, suckering, tip-rooting growth lets it form dense thickets and can make it hard to contain in small gardens.

Native Range

Rubus parvifolius is native to eastern Australia and temperate eastern Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. In Australia it grows from Queensland to Tasmania along forest edges, watercourses, roadsides, and clearings, on clay, loam, and sandy soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native and wildlife gardens, on banks for erosion control, and as a low thicket for bird habitat and edible fruit. Suited to informal margins and naturalised areas where its spreading habit has room. Spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart, with space to contain its suckers.

How to Identify

Recognised by arching reddish canes with small curved prickles and compound leaves of three to five toothed leaflets that are conspicuously white-hairy on the underside. Pink five-petalled flowers in open clusters are followed by small red raspberry-like fruits. The low, scrambling, tip-rooting habit and white leaf undersides separate it from introduced blackberries.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from spring into early summer, mainly October to December, with loose clusters of pink flowers along the canes. Bees and other insects visit the open blooms. Red, edible fruits ripen through summer and draw fruit-eating birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green above, white-hairy beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on moist, freely draining loamy, clay, or sandy soils. Even moisture during spring and summer supports flowering and fruiting, while prolonged drought reduces both. The canes root where their tips reach the ground and send up suckers, so the plant spreads and may need containing in cultivated beds. Frost is tolerated, and growth dies back somewhat in cold winters before reshooting. A spring feed and mulch support cane growth. Thinning old canes after fruiting keeps the clump open and productive.

Pruning

Cutting out the oldest spent canes at ground level after fruiting renews the clump and limits congestion. Tip-rooted and suckering stems can be removed at any time to curb spread. The curved prickles make handling the canes awkward without gloves.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall