Rubus parviflorus

RHS Plant Profile

thimbleberry

Other common names

native Australian bramble, salmonberry

Synonyms

Rubus nutkanus

Fruit Edible Shrubs

A deciduous, thicket-forming shrub with palmate, lobed mid-green leaves. Two-year old canes produce large white flowers in spring and summer, that are followed by edible, small red fruit, similar to raspberries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering, Columnar upright
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: Western N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, fertile soil, which is well-drained and weed free. For best results, plant in a sunny position. They will tolerate light shade, but may produce a smaller crop

Propagation

Lift healthy suckers that appear between the rows and replant in a new spot. You can also divide large clumps when dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Edible fruit
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Cut back fruited canes to ground level soon after harvesting. Thin canes to prevent overcrowding

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds, raspberry cane spot, a fungal leaf spot, raspberry cane blight or a virus