Image of Rubus occidentalis
Source: OWSL
image of Shrub
Rubus occidentalis
Black Raspberry
Framboisier noir

Obsolete Names

thimbleberry
mûrier
ronce occidentale
Seeds available at table Vines, Shrubs, Trees
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White Bloom period: May - Jun
Max Height: 6.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Rubus occidentalis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Rubus occidentalis

  • Automeris io (Io moth)

Specialized Bees Supported by Rubus occidentalis

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rubus (Non-Native Raspberries)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by January
  • Stratification conditions: cold moist stratifyy
  • Stratification duration: 90 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Soak in hot water and let stand for 24 hours.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator: Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting mean: Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.