Rubus

Rubus is a large Genus in the rose (Rosaceae) family that includes blackberry, dewberry, and raspberry. Many members of the Genus share the traits of prickles or bristly stems and compound leaves. Flowers and fruit often appear on last season's canes (branches) but some cultivars have been developed that will bloom on current season canes also.

The plants can grow as erect to arching shrubs and others are vine-like growing on the ground or climbing. Fruiting times will also vary and some refer to them as bramble fruit. They all are an important source of food for wildlife. Most prefer acidic well-drained soil and full sun.

The fruits are edible and there are many cultivars with improved fruit size and flavor that are appropriate for the home garden. It is important to check the chill hours required before planting cultivars of these berries. 

Information on blackberry cultivation for home gardeners is available in the NC State Extension publication Blackberries for the Home Garden and Raspberries in the Home Garden

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Most have prickles. Potential diseases are anthracnose, cane blight, botrytis fruit rot, powdery mildew, phytophthora root rot, mosaic, leaf curl, and crumbly berry. Potential insects are aphids, blackberry knot gall, blackberry leafminer, blackberry sawfly, Japanese beetle and blackberry psyllid. Some of the wild species are weedy and difficult to control.