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Close up of berries of native thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). One of the 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants in Portland, Oregon. rub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland
Native bumblebee rests on a native thimbleberry leaf (Rubus parviflorus). One of the 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants in Portland, Oregon.
Close up of large, floppy white flowers and leaves of native thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). One of the 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants in Portland, Oregon. rub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland
Rubus parviflorus, Thimbleberry, Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Oregon Native Shrub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland
A thriving, flowering population of native thimbleberry plants (Rubus parviflorus) in the habitat garden. One of the 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants in Portland, Oregon. rub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland

Thimbleberry

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Rubus parviflorus

Thimbleberry is a fuss-free, thicket-forming deciduous shrub, with maximum habitat value and edible fruits. Each spring, maple-like velvety leaves emerge followed by bright, cheerful white flowers that delight butterflies and bees. By summer, lookout for vibrant, thimble-shaped red fruits that are a prized food source for countless birds and mammals, including humans!

  • Plant type/canopy layer: large deciduous shrub 
  • Size at maturity: 4-6' tall, 3-6' wide
  • Light requirements: full sun to full shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil
  • Bloom time: May - June
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: overall this plant is one of the best summer foods for wildlife and a caterpillar host plant; bear, beaver and marmots eat all plant parts; berries are popular with countless birds including jays, robins, thrushes, towhees, grouse, pigeons, quail, grosbeaks, sparrows, waxwings, and more, as well as raccoons, opossums, foxes, squirrels, and chipmunks; leaves are eaten extensively by deer and rabbits, used by leafcutter bees for nest building, and are a larval food source for native butterflies and moths; flowers attract and provide nectar and pollen to hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators and support beneficial and other pest eating insects
  • Native habitat/range: common in moist to dry open woods, fields and along shorelines and forest edges, from sea level to 7,500 ft, in many parts of western and northern North America; from southeastern Alaska eastward throughout the Rocky Mountain states to the Great Lakes region, and south to northern Mexico. Portland Plant List - yes. 
  • Special features & uses: beneficial insect, pollinator and wildlife magnet, including hummingbird favorite; landscape uses include pollinator gardens and woodland gardens, erosion control and hedgerows; young early spring shoots, late spring flowers and summer berries are all edible, though the flavor of the berries varies from sweet to bland depending on the growing conditions; making berries into jelly is another option; the large leaves can be handy containers for collecting berries for wrapping and preserving other foods; the bark was can be boiled into soap; the dried leaves can be made into a medicinal powder and applied to wounds and burns to prevent scarring and a tea can be made of the leaves and/or roots to treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dysentery and are rich in vitamin C, helping to boost the immune system and ward off scurvy; hikers call the soft fuzzy leaves “nature’s toilet paper.”

Gardening with Thimbleberry: This thicket-forming shrub needs virtually no special care, beyond space and a little tolerance on behalf of the gardener. It will thrive in moist or dry soil, from full sun to full shade. Its oversized, soft textured leaves make a bold contrast in the garden and turn a bright, golden yellow in fall. It is especially attractive on hillsides with dappled shade, where they will help control erosion. Be sure to give it lots of elbow room, as it wants to form a large, bramble overtime. Sacrifice part of your yard to this plant and you’ll be generously rewarded by its abundant floppy white blooms, massive insect and wildlife benefits, and edible berries.

Photo Credits 1 & 3: Tracy Cozine, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 2: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 4: Tara Lemezis, Tiny Seed Photography

Photo Credit 5: Karli Del Biondo, Beetles and Bees