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Black raspberry – Rubus occidentalis

Black raspberry

Rubus occidentalis
Edible value7Medicinal value3Other uses3
Shrub2.4×8 mzone 5–7partial shade🍎 Edible

Will it grow where I live?

Black raspberry is hardy to zone 5 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 5 upwards. It prefers cool summers and suffers in hot, dry lowlands.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Rosaceae
Habit
Shrub
Height
2.4 m
Spread
8 m
Growth
very fast
Lifespan
15 years
First yield
after 2 years
Hardiness
zone 5–7
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
5.5 – 7
thorny

Flowering & harvest

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Flowering

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible7 of 10
Medicinal3 of 10
Other uses3 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Black raspberry: how big does it get?

Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 2.4 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 8 m. Growth is very fast.

Black raspberry: what site does it need?

Black raspberry tolerates partial shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

Black raspberry: is it hardy?

Black raspberry is listed as hardy in zone 5–7 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Black raspberry: will it grow in Central Europe?

Black raspberry is hardy to zone 5 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 5 upwards. It prefers cool summers and suffers in hot, dry lowlands.

Black raspberry: when does it flower?

In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers in June.

Black raspberry: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Black raspberry. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Black raspberry: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 7/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 3/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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