Climbing Raspberry
Rubus rosifolius 'Coronarius'

Hardy to Zone 7
Bloom Time - Spring
Color - White
Foliage - Evergreen, dark green, thick, crinkled
Size - Climbs 8-10 ft; 4-5 ft. shrub
Exposure - Full sun to partial shade
Culture - Plant in average to moderately fertile soil in full sun to part shade (afternoon shade is best). Support is needed if grown as a climber. Very thorny, so you might want to avoid heavily trafficked areas.

Comments - I first heard of this plant through Pamela Harper's book "Time Tested Plants" (a must have!). I knew I had to have it after reading her description. This inconspicuous vine (or shrub, if you prefer to grow it that way) springs to attention in early spring when it is covered with snow-white flowers which look almost identical to an old-fashioned rose. It is lovely as a climber but since it has no means of attaching itself to anything, support, such as wire or string, will be needed. The only deterrent I've noticed is a tendency to sucker, which it does quite freely in my garden. These can be dug up and shared with friends. If suckering is too much of a problem for you, you might want to locate it in a more restricted area or a place where you can keep check on it. No fragrance and watch out for those thorns!

 

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