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Rubus squarrosus

leafless lawyer

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

Other common names
bush lawyer
yellow-prickled lawyer
Synonyms
Rubus cissoides var. pauperatus
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green Yellow Green
Autumn Green Green
Winter Green Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
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)

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