Rubus

The fruits of the Rubus can be edible

Plants of the genus Rubus can be interesting, since due to their rapid growth and their long stems they are ideal for covering fences, since they are also well armed with stingers.

Their adaptability is such that they live both in open fields and in forests, so you will not have problems. But yes, have a pair of scissors nearby to control its growth. Discover the main species of Rubus and how they are cared for.

Origin and characteristics of the Rubus

The genus Rubus comprises some 331 accepted species, which are distributed throughout the temperate and warm regions of the northern hemisphere. They are often known by the name of brambles or blackberries. They develop thin, green stems, mostly biennial, and with stingers which allow them to grow and invade new territories with relative ease. And it is that these have creeping and / or climbing habits, which is why they can be grown as vines in gardens.

They are shrubs that live for several years, with pinnate, alternate and green leaves. The flowers are grouped in lateral or terminal inflorescences (at the end of the stem, which will die after flowering). These are usually white, and appear solitary or in panicles. The fruit is a compound drupe, which measures between 0,5 and 2 centimeters, and is edible.

Main species

The best known and most cultivated species are the following:

rubus caesius

View of the Rubus caesius

Image - Flickr / gailhampshire

El rubus caesius, known as aviary bush or duberi, is a creeping plant native to Europe. In Spain it can be found in the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula. Their stingers are considerably smaller than those of other species, and in autumn their leaves turn reddish. The fruits are covered with wax, and are purplish in color. These finish maturing in summer.

rubus canescens

View of the Rubus canescens

Image - Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

El rubus canescens It is a plant native to Europe and the Middle East, known as bramble. It does not exceed two meters in height. Its leaves are greyish, covered by whitish hairs, being tomentose on the underside. The flowers are white.

Rubus chamaemorus

Rubus are perennial plants

Image - Flickr / Len Worthington

El Rubus chamaemorus, known as the blackberry of the swamps, is a slow-growing plant that reaches a maximum height of 25 centimeters. The leaves are alternate and lobed, and the flowers are white. As for the fruits, they ripen in autumn, turning amber in color.

Rubus idaeus

The Rubus produces edible fruits

Image - Wikimedia / Bernard DUPONT

El Rubus idaeus, known as raspberry or raspberry, is an evergreen shrub native to Europe and northern Asia. It reaches a height of between 1 and 3 meters. The fruit is a compound drupe that, when ripe, turns reddish.

rubus fruticosus

The blackberry is a climber

Image - Wikimedia / Kolforn

El rubus fruticosus, known as blackberry, is a plant with a creeping habit, or a climber if it has a chance, native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. It grows very fast, so it is a species that must be controlled. Its leaves are pinnate and green, and its flowers are white or pink. As for the fruit, called blackberry, it is a compound drupe that is green at first, then becomes red, and finally black.

rubus occidentalis

Rubus fruits are mostly red or black

El rubus occidentalis it is a shrub known as black raspberry, which reaches a height of 2 to 3 meters. It is native to eastern North America, and its leaves are green on the upper side and whitish on the underside. The fruit is black when ripe.

Rubus phoenicolasius

Rubus is an invasive plant

Image - Flickr / Virens (Latin for greening)

El Rubus phoenicolasius It is a plant with biennial stems and perennial roots that reaches a height of 1 to 3 meters. Its leaves are large and pinnate, and the flowers, which sprout the second year, are purplish-red to pink. Its fruits are compound drupes similar to berries but not, that when ripe, turn red.

rubus ulmifolius

Rubus ulmifolius is a fast growing plant

Image - Flickr / Zulio

El rubus ulmifolius, known as blackberry or bramble, is a shrub native to Europe, North Africa and South Asia. The leaves are green, odd-pinnate, elliptical and with a serrated or serrated edge. Its flowers are white or pink, and are grouped in clusters. The fruits are drupes that are grouped in clusters, and are black when mature. Same as him R. fruticosus, has a rapid growth.

How to take care of them?

Do you want to have a Rubus in your garden or in a pot? So the first thing you have to know is that they are plants that must always be outside. They can live both in full sun and in semi-shade, but so that problems do not arise you will have to put them away from other plants, since otherwise they could use it as a support for climbing.

If we talk about the soil, or the substrate if you are going to grow it in a container, tell you that it is not demanding. Namely, will grow well in virtually all types of soils, even clayey ones. But if it is well drained and fertile, much better, since it will be able to produce a greater quantity of fruits.

Now let's move on to pruning. It is a must when you have a Rubus, especially when the species is very fast growing. With clean pruning shears you have to cut its stems in late winter, and whenever you see that they are getting too close to other plants.

As for watering, it will be moderate. They are not plants that constantly want water; in fact, if they are in the ground they can withstand somewhat drought when they have rooted (from the second year on). But if you are going to have it in a pot, you should water it about 2 times a week or 3, in order to keep it hydrated.

What do you think of the Rubus?


2 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Victor esteves said

    Informações muito úteis, obrigado! I have more than 20 varieties of Rubus in Portugal.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Victor.

      Thank you for comment.

      The variety of Rubus you have is impressive. Congratulations 🙂

      Greetings.