Rubus odoratus (Fr: ronce odorante | En: purple-flowering raspberry)

Purple-flowering Raspberry

Rubus odoratus
Alternative names: Flowering Raspberry
French: Ronce odorante

Purple-flowering Raspberry is often considered the most ornamental of our native raspberries, easily recognized by its large, maple-like leaves and beautiful rose-purple flowers that bloom through summer.

The berries are edible, sweet, and attractive to wildlife, though they have a soft, fuzzy texture that some people find unusual. Beyond providing fruit for birds and mammals, the hollow stems offer excellent winter habitat for native bees and other insects.

This raspberry is more shade-tolerant than many others and can be found thriving in partially shaded forest edges and riversides. It’s a fantastic addition for anyone seeking a multi-purpose plant that offers beauty, ecological benefits, and edibility.

Height: 1–3 metres
Bloom time: June to August
Light: Full sun to shade
Moisture: Moderate
Soil: Adaptable; tolerates a range of soil types
Habitat: Forest edges, meadows, riversides
Ecological benefits: Food for birds and small mammals, nesting habitat for native bees
Edible: Yes – sweet but fuzzy berries