Black Raspberry

Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)

A vigorous native bramble with sweet, deep-purple fruit, Rubus occidentalis, commonly known as black raspberry, is a favorite among foragers, birds, and bees alike. It produces fragrant white blossoms in spring, followed by clusters of richly flavored berries in early summer. These berries are prized for their unique taste, less tart than red raspberries, and are excellent fresh, frozen, or made into jam, syrup, or wine.

Black raspberry thrives in sunny edges, hedgerows, and forest margins, spreading by cane and root to form dense thickets that provide habitat and forage for wildlife. The canes are arching and thorny, with a blue-gray bloom, and the plant is more shade-tolerant and cold-hardy than most other cultivated brambles.

With both ecological and edible value, black raspberry is a rewarding addition to food forests, native plantings, or any sunny patch where you’d welcome a bit of wild sweetness.

Details:

• Height: 3–6 feet
• Spread: Spreading by root suckers and arching canes
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained; tolerant of poor soils
• Bloom time: Late spring
• Fruit: Early to mid-summer; edible, rich in antioxidants
• Wildlife value: Flowers attract pollinators; fruit feeds birds and mammals
• Zones: 4–8
• Native to: Eastern and central North America