Rubus thibetanus

RHS Plant Profile

ghost bramble

RHS 1989

Synonyms

Rubus thibetanus 'Silver Fern'
Rubus veitchii

Shrubs

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A medium-sized deciduous shrub with arching purplish prickly stems heavily bloomed white in winter, bearing pinnate leaves, dark green above and whitish beneath. Panicles of small purplish flowers and black fruits (inedible)

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk 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 or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
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: W China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow prickly, thicket forming, deciduous shrub; will grow in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 7

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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