Rubus tricolor aka Creeping Bramble

Rubus tricolor is a low shrub in the rose family. Names include Chinese bramble and creeping bramble. It comes from Sichuan and Yunnan in western China. It grows on steep banks, wooded slopes, and in thickets. This plant spreads across the ground rather than standing tall. Long, arching stems form a dense, low mat.

Garden plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] tall. Their spread reaches 4.9–8.2 feet [1.5–2.5 metres]. They take five to ten years to reach full size. RHS describes the leaves as evergreen; Oregon State calls them semi-evergreen. The shoots lack prickles but bear thick red bristles. Glossy leaves have dark green tops and white, hairy undersides. Their edges have uneven teeth and shallow lobes. Each leaf has a pointed tip and heart-shaped base. Bristles also grow along the veins and leaf stalks.

White flowers appear in summer, alone or in small groups. Bright red fruit follows the flowers. The fruit can reach about 0.7 inches across. It is edible, either raw or cooked. Reports on taste differ: some praise it, while others find it bland. Some forms also bear better crops than others. The fruit can yield a purple to dull blue dye. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. That does not establish safety for every use or animal.

Grow this shrub in full sun or part shade. It suits woodland edges, but not deep shade. RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand as suitable soils. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Give it soil that drains well, with moisture available. RHS rates its UK hardiness as H5. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. Oregon State also places its cold limit at zone 6. RHS describes it as easy to grow and low maintenance.

Use it to cover bare ground, banks, and slopes. Stems form roots at points as they spread. Young plantings need weeding during their first year or so. Once established, strong growth can overwhelm smaller plants. Pair it with trees or other tall plants instead. It has few pest problems, according to RHS. Grey mould may occur, and honey fungus is a rare risk. Propagate it by rooting shoot tips or taking cuttings. Take softwood cuttings in summer and hardwood cuttings in winter.