Rubus buergeri aka Winter Raspberry

Rubus buergeri is a deciduous shrub in the rose family. Its native range covers parts of eastern Asia. These include China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows in broad-leaved and mixed forests. These habitats lie in mountain regions at low to middle elevations. The plant reaches about 10 feet [3 metres] tall. It loses its leaves rather than keeping them year-round.

Flowers appear from July to August, according to Plants For A Future. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and seeds ripen from September to October. The fruit measures about 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] across. People can eat it fresh or cook it. Plants For A Future gives its edible value two out of five. The fruit also yields a purple to muted blue dye. This provides a use beyond food, though the source rates other uses low.

Grow this shrub in sun or partial shade. A sunny woodland edge or dappled shade suits its listed needs. It prefers moist soil with good drainage. Loam is the recommended soil for cultivation. The species also accepts sandy ground and clay. Its stated pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. This includes neutral soil, so its soil needs allow some choice. Plants For A Future describes it as easy to grow. It lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9 and UK zone 6.

Seed, cuttings, layering, and division offer ways to raise new plants. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame in early autumn. Stored seed needs a month of cold treatment at about 3°C. Sow that seed early in the year after treatment. Grow young seedlings in a cold frame before planting out. Move them to their final place the following late spring. Take half-ripe cuttings in July or August under frame cover. Tip layering is another option in July. Divide plants in early spring or just before autumn leaf fall.

Plants For A Future reports no known hazards for this species. That statement does not establish safety for every pet or use. The same source lists no known medicinal uses. It does not flag the plant as a weed risk.