Rubus Cockburnianus - January 20th  

 Arching - sometimes tangled stems on this rampant Rubus - blackberry. The purple flower appear in midsummer, but it is the white stems in the winter which are the main attraction.

Rubus cockburnianus can be grown wherever there is room - sun or part shade. Full sun shows off the stems best. It will need a space of around 2m across - with a similar height. Any soil will suit, but well drained soils are best for all the Rubus.

Pruning for good stem colour is best carried out in early spring. Simply cut back the whole mass of stems to ground level. It will soon send up new growth which will turn  into the white 'canes' so desirable in the winter.

Back to main shrubs area