$11.50–$335.00
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trefle.io · Taken May 26, 2020 by Raven Madigan (cc-by-sa)
Rosaceae
Thimbleberry
Rubus occidentalis
Also known as Western thimbleberry, Melanobatus michiganus, Rubus occidentalis subsp. euoccidentalis, Rubus fruticosus var. tomentosus
Zones 4–9Sun Partial SunWater ModerateCare Low
Flowering Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Native Fruit · Black Raspberry · Edible · Wildlife Habitat · Cane Fruit · Berry · Pollinator · Woodland Edge · Foraging · Deciduous
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyAttracts pollinators
In stock at 3 nurseriesStock updated 9/6/2026
Thimbleberry (black raspberry) is a native cane fruit that thrives in partial shade to full sun with average, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. It produces attractive white flowers in spring followed by edible, sweet-tart black raspberries in summer that are a favorite of birds and wildlife. Prune out old canes after fruiting each year to maintain vigor and encourage the best fruit production.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water to keep soil consistently moist, especially during fruiting · Every 7-10 days during dry spells
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.2–7.5
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 48 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- White
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Arkansas, Central European Rus, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Masachusettes, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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