Rubus parviflorus
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THIMBLEBERRY, WESTERN THIMBLEBERRY
Family: Rosaceae
GROWING GUIDE
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Geographic Origin:
North America.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All.
Mature size:
Height: 10 feet (3 m).
Flowering period:
Spring.
Flowering attributes:
White, crinkled petals on flowers blooming in clusters on 2nd year canes.
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Light: Full sun to shade.
Soil: Moist to dry, humus rich soil. Thimbleberries not grow as well on sandy or gravelly soils.
Propagation Methods: Seed (needs stratification). | Stem cuttings. | Dormant rhizome segments.
Pruning Methods: Prune out older canes.
Rainy Side Notes
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R. parviflorus commonly grows as an understory shrub rubbing elbows with Acer macrophyllum (big-leaf maple), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Ceanothus (summer lilac), Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed), Gautheria shallon (salal), Heracleum lanatum (cow parsnip), Holodiscus discolor (oceanspray), Lupinus (lupine), Physocarpus malvaceus (Pacific ninebark), Polystichum munitum (swordfern), Prunus emarginata (bittercherry), Ribes (flowering currant), Salix (willow), Sambucus (elderberry), Symphoricarpos (snowberry), and Vaccinium parvifolium (huckleberry).
In my native garden it grows well next to a stump with Gaultheria shallon (salal), Sambucus racemosa (red elderberry), Polystichum munitum (Sword fern), and Alnus rubra (red alder).
A good shrub for wildlife, providing cover in thimbleberry thickets and food for birds and mammals.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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