Rubus squarrosus

RHS Plant Profile

leafless lawyer

Other common names

bush lawyer, yellow-prickled lawyer

Synonyms

Rubus cissoides var. pauperatus

Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub forming a mound of tangled stems up to around 50cm tall in cultivation. The green stems bear small, scattered yellowish-white prickles and sparse 'skeletonised' leaves with the leaf blade being reduced to virtually nothing giving a thread-like appearance. In summer, small, yellowish flowers may be borne in panicles up to 15cm long; orange-red fruits are rarely seen in this country

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Rubus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, often scrambling with bristly or prickly stems bearing simple, lobed, palmate or pinnate leaves and 5-petalled flowers followed by juicy, sometimes edible fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easily grown in a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Unlikely to produce flowers if grown in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings or by tip layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1 if required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and honey fungus (rarely)