Rubus odoratus aka Purpleflowering Raspberry

Rubus odoratus, or purple-flowering raspberry, belongs to the rose family. This shrub comes from eastern North America, including eastern Canada. Its range reaches south to Tennessee and Georgia. It grows in woods, damp thickets, and along woodland edges. Gardeners grow it more for its flowers than its fruit. It loses its leaves in fall and forms spreading clumps.

Most plants stand 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 metres) tall. They can spread 6–12 feet (1.8–3.7 metres) across. NC State also lists a narrower 4–8-foot (1.2–2.4-metre) spread. RHS gives an upper height of about 8 feet (2.5 metres). Upright canes send up suckers, which can form thick patches. The hairy stems have few or no prickles. Pale brown bark peels from older stems in thin strips. The stems have a scent that recalls cedar. Broad, soft leaves have three to five pointed lobes. Their edges bear fine teeth, and their shape recalls maple leaves. Green leaves turn pale yellow to gold in fall.

The scented flowers look like small, open roses. They measure about 0.16 feet (0.05 metres) across. Their purple-pink petals fade toward pink as they age. June through August is the main bloom season. NC State reports that flowering can start in April. Red, cup-like fruits follow, appearing from July through October. People can eat them raw or cook them. The flesh tends to be tart, dry, and crumbly. Pies, jelly, and preserves offer ways to use the crop. The fruit can also be dried for later use. Plants may bear little fruit in Britain's cool summers. PFAF reports no known hazards for this species.

Grow it in sun or partial shade with good drainage. It tolerates shade well and needs soil that stays moist. Soil rich in organic matter suits it well. Sand and loam suit it better than clay. RHS lists tolerance of acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Heat and high humidity do not suit it well. Give it good air flow, and prune after fruiting. Sources place it in USDA zones 3–8 and RHS H6.

Use it in woodland gardens, borders, screens, or natural planting areas. Its spread can provide tall ground cover over large spaces. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers for nectar. Birds and mammals also benefit from the plant. Its suckers can become a nuisance where space is limited. Serious pest and disease trouble is uncommon. Cane borers may occur, as can grey mould and honey fungus.