Rubus phoenicolasius aka Wine Raspberry

Rubus phoenicolasius is a deciduous shrub in the rose family. Gardeners know it as wineberry or Japanese wineberry. Its native range spans China, Korea, and Japan. It grows in clearings, roadsides, and mountain valleys. This plant forms thickets with long, arching canes. Underground stems spread outward, and cane tips can take root.

Garden plants reach about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Other accounts give heights of 4–6 feet [1.2–1.8 metres]. NC State reports plants reaching 9 feet [2.7 metres]. Growth proceeds at a moderate rate. Young canes start green, then turn red. Red glandular hairs and scattered prickles cover the stems. The red canes add winter colour after leaves fall. Each leaf has three toothed, heart-shaped leaflets. Their green upper sides contrast with hairy, silvery undersides. The leaves turn yellow in autumn.

Small white flowers open from red, hairy buds. Their pointed petals give each flower a star-like shape. Sources place flowering between April and July, or in summer. Insects pollinate the flowers, which supply nectar and attract butterflies. Bristly red calyces enclose the fruit until near ripeness. The shiny berries range from orange-red to bright red. They measure about 0.06 feet [0.02 metres] across. Fruit ripens in August and September. The berries taste sweet and tart, with many seeds. Eat them raw or cook them in pies and desserts. Birds and small mammals also eat the fruit.

Wineberry grows best in sun with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It also tolerates part shade and several soil types. These include sand, loam, clay, and chalk. It accepts acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils. NC State lists USDA zones 4–8; RHS gives H5. Gardeners can train the canes into a fan against supports. After harvest, cut old canes down and secure new growth. Divide runners or root cane tips to raise more plants.

Its dense growth can form a barrier or shelter wildlife. Sources suggest woodland, edible gardens, and informal wall-side borders. Yet wineberry can spread beyond its planting site. Several New England states ban this potentially invasive plant. RHS reports few pests, though NC State lists cane borers. Grey mould can occur, and honey fungus is another risk. PFAF records no known hazards or medicinal uses. The fruit also yields purple to dull blue dye.