Rubus leucodermis
Blackcap Raspberry is one of the native edible Rubus (brambles) in the PNW, like its relatives thimbleberry and salmonberry. Hikers may often discover this delicious berry after being hooked by one of its long prickly waxy white canes arching by a trail. Plant on the back 40, as a tasty treat for both humans and wildlife.
- Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous perennial shrub
- Size at maturity: 2-6’ high, 3-6' wide
- Light requirements: prefers full sun, tolerates partial shade
- Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil
- Bloom time: April - July. Fruit ripens July-August
- Growth rate/ease: fast growth rate, easy to grow, spreads vigorously
- Wildlife support: blooms for pollinators and hummingbirds; berries for birds and wildlife; dense thicket for wildlife cover
- Native habitat/range: West coast from central BC to S. California. Portland Plant List - yes.
- Special features & uses: wildlife, pollinator, and hummingbird favorite, edible
Gardening with Blackcap Raspberry: Add to a native wild edible garden to enjoy the delicious berries, along with other native brambles like Salmonberry and Thimbleberry. Plant it where it will have plenty of room to grow into a spiky thicket with it’s 6’+ arching canes, creating excellent bird habitat. Generally low maintenance, but will have larger fruit with supplemental summer water. Berries are ripe when they turn black. Biennial - fruit forms on second year stems.
Photo Credit 1: "20110701 Rubus leucodermis" by chipmunk_1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0Photo Credit 2: "20110605 Rubus leucodermis (Black Raspberry)" by chipmunk_1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo Credit 3: "2010.05.29-10.14.24_IMG_6988" by AndreyZharkikh is licensed under CC BY 2.0