Rubus phoenicolasius
Japanese wineberry, Wineberry
- Height × spread
- 2.5m × 5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a handsome, somewhat intimidating shrub with arching stems that can be over three metres in length. These are coloured red-brown with red thorns and fine bristles. Grown as a clump they are beautiful in winter, space not being a premium. The leaves are good-sized, three-part (trifoliate), the foremost one being held on a noticeable stalk. They have white felt on their underside. There are small starry pink flowers in June and July that arise from a showy red-haired calyx. These are followed by clusters of edible bright red raspberry fruits - sweet to the palate and given the alluring common name of 'wineberry'. For the bold if you have space, or a wild garden. It is hardy in warmer parts of the country.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown, Red
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2.5m
- Spread
- 5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Winter
Winter - late · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
Remove and dead or damaged branches or any growth that looks very untidy. Trim the plant back if necessary to keep it within bounds.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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