Washington Gardener Magazine is the award-winning publication for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners by local gardeners.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Creeping Raspberry Plant Profile
Creeping Raspberry Plant Profile
Creeping Raspberry (Rubus
hayata-koidzumi was
R. calycinoides and R. rolfei)
is a low-growing raspberry relative
that is a member of the rose family. The attractive leaves are held on
cane-like stems that form a dense mat on the ground. It does well on slopes as
an erosion control.
Creeping Raspberry is also known as Formosan Carpet
Raspberry, Crinkle-leaf Creeper, Taiwanese Creeping Rubus, and Creeping Bramble
It has white flowers in early summer that turn into edible fruits
that are golden in color--similar in shape to blackberries or other
raspberries.
For best fruiting, plant it in full sun. However, the leaves
can be scorched in intense afternoon sun, so place it where it can get a bit of
shade late in the day in hotter climates.
The leaves turn a rust color in fall and, in most regions,
stay on over the winter. In some colder climates, it is semi-evergreen, but
root-hardy.
One plant can spread 4-6 feet in diameter. If it goes beyond
its bounds, prune it back at any time. Trim out any dead or broken cane stems
whenever you notice them.
There are some “soft” thorns along the canes and they are
not usually a problem. Avoid stepping on it though, due to these thorns and the
stiff canes/stems that can break when trod upon.
If you are in a cold climate, give it extra mulch in late
fall for winter protection. Fertilizer is not necessary, but a top dressing of
organic compost in early spring can be beneficial and encourage fruit
production as well. There is no need to rake up any fallen leaves in autumn as
they also add to the plant’s nutrients.
Take cuttings in the early summer to propagate it or harvest
seeds from ripened fruits. Plant the seeds soon after harvesting.
It is not generally troubled by pests. Birds may eat the
fruits, but deer generally leave this tough plant alone.
Overwatering may cause root rot in wet or heavy soil and
good drainage is a must. It is drought-tolerant once established.
Sterilize your tools between pruning it and other rose
family relatives so that you do not transmit diseases amongst them. A good
garden hygiene practice is to swipe the pruner blades with an alcohol swab
after each cut. Be careful to not cut yourself and wear leather gloves whenever
pruning.
Creeping Raspberry:
You Can Grow That!
This profile was
excerpted from the book Groundcover Revolutionby
Kathy Jentz.
No comments:
Post a Comment