Raspberry (Rubus Biflorus)

Raspberry

Features and Characteristics

Rubus biflorus is an upright, somewhat climbing, deciduous shrub with cane-like stems which typically grows 3-6′ tall (to 12′ if given support and not pruned). First year canes are covered with a chalky white waxy coating which is quite striking in winter after the foliage has dropped, and this shrub is usually ornamentally grown for this purpose. Fragrant, white, 3/4″ wide flowers appear in small clusters of 5-8 at the stem ends in spring. Flowers give way to yellow, 3/4″ diameter fruits (raspberries) which are edible. Flowers and fruits will be absent if canes are pruned to ground in late winter. Compound dark green leaves (3-5 leaflets each) are 5-8″ long and white beneath.

Genus name is the Latin name for brambles (blackberry and raspberry).

Specific epithet means twin-flowered.

Care and Maintenance

Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Pruning strategy depends on what features of plant are to be emphasized: prune immediately after flowering or fruiting for best flowering and fruiting, or prune in late winter for best stem color and foliage.

Raspberry (Rubus Biflorus) Requirements

Hardiness zone	5 - 9
Sun light	Full Sun
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Aggressive, suckering habit.

Uses

Chalky white stems in winter are quite attractive in somewhat the same way as the red and yellow stems of some willows and dogwoods (e.g., see Salix and Cornus). Attractive in front of evergreens. Naturalized areas. Shrub borders.

Raspberry (Rubus Biflorus) Details

Common name	Raspberry
Botanical name	Rubus Biflorus
Plant type	Deciduous Shrub
Family	Rosaceae
Hardiness zone	5 - 9
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	White
Flowering period	May
Height	3 - 6 Ft.
Width	3 - 6 Ft.