Rubus ulmifolius
Rubus ulmifolius · Rosaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around rubus ulmifolius and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to deciduous depending on climate
- Flowering
- July to September, pink or white flowers
- Mature size
- 2 to 3 m tall, spreading and bushy habit
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, -15 °C and below
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin and Southern Europe
- Soil type
- Adapted to all soils, even poor and well-draining
Care
Watering
Once established, the bramble is very tolerant of drought. Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root development. In Mediterranean climates or during prolonged heat periods, moderate watering can improve fruit production.
Exposure
Choose a sunny or partly shaded location. In full sun, flowering and fruiting are more abundant. The bramble tolerates semi-shaded areas, although production will be less significant.
Pruning and training
Prune after fruiting (autumn-winter) by removing old unproductive wood and dead or diseased branches. Maintain an airy structure to limit fungal diseases. Wear robust gloves: the thorns are formidable. You can cut the plant back regularly to rejuvenate it.
Soil and planting
Very undemanding, it adapts to poor, rocky or compacted soils. Enrich lightly with mature compost at planting for a better start. It tolerates limestone and slightly acidic soils.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced organic compost or fertilizer in spring to support growth. The bramble needs no regular fertilizer if growing in natural or semi-natural terrain. Limit nitrogen inputs which favor foliage at the expense of fruiting.
Diseases and pests
Rarely susceptible to diseases. In humid conditions, watch for powdery mildew or rust. Good air circulation through regular pruning prevents most fungal problems. Brambles attract few significant pests in cultivation. Remove diseased wood in winter.
Did you know?
The Elm-leaved bramble is a formidable pioneer plant in wastelands and abandoned areas: it colonizes vacant land and stabilizes slopes thanks to its powerful root system. In the Mediterranean, its wild blackberries (the fruits) have been traditionally harvested by local populations since Antiquity, and they feature in many folk remedies. Its species name 'ulmifolius' recalls that its leaves resemble those of the Elm.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Apple treeMalus domestica
- Cherry treePrunus avium
- BlackthornPrunus spinosa
- Salad burnetPoterium sanguisorba
- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.