Rubus crataegifolius aka Hawthorn Leaved Bramble

Rubus crataegifolius is a deciduous shrub called Korean raspberry. It belongs to the rose family, Rosaceae. Its native range covers temperate parts of eastern Asia. Sources place it in Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. It grows in mountain clearings and on disturbed ground. Other sites include sunny slopes, woodland edges, ravines, and roadsides. Recorded habitats reach from about 984 to 8,202 feet [300–2,500 metres] above sea level.

The shrub has an upright form and reaches 8.2 feet [2.5 metres]. Its rootstock lives for more than two years. New stems rise from this base each year. Each stem grows through its first year without fruiting. It bears fruit in its second year, then dies. The plant sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round. This cycle lets new stems replace those that have fruited.

Flowers appear in May and June, depending on the source. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the blooms. The fruit ripens from July through August. The berries are dark red, with a translucent look. They measure about 0.4 inches across and taste sweet. People eat the fruit fresh or cook it. The evidence leaves the edibility of the leaves uncertain. Fruit also yields dye in purple to muted blue shades.

Grow this raspberry in sun or partial shade. It suits a sunny woodland edge or a lightly shaded site. It prefers moist soil that drains well. Loam gives good growing conditions, though sand and clay also suit it. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils. Chicago Botanic Garden lists hardiness across USDA zones 5–8. PFAF describes it as easy to grow in suitable soil. Gardeners sometimes grow the species as a fruit crop.

Propagation options include seed, cuttings, layering, and division. Seed needs a cold period before it sprouts. Half-ripe cuttings can be taken in July or August. Tip layering is another option in July. Divide plants in early spring or before autumn leaf fall. PFAF reports no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. That source does not flag the species as weedy. Its useful parts are best documented for fruit and dye.