Also known as Bramble · 934 gardener saves
Rubus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Rubus, the genus most gardeners know as bramble. We track 21 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Rubus varieties
Of 21 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMammoth Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Mammoth Red'
#2 most savedCrimson Night Raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Crimson Night'
#3 most savedTriple Crown Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus 'Triple Crown'
Apache Thornless Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus 'Apache Thornless'
Jewel Black Raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Jewel'
Canby raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Canby'
Anne Raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Anne'
Blackberry 'Taste of Heaven'
Rubus fruticosus 'Taste of Heaven'
Double Scoop Orange Berry
Rubus fruticosus 'Double Scoop Orange Berry'
Black Satin Blackberry
Rubus ursinus 'Black Satin'
Heritage Raspberry
Rubus idaeus 'Heritage'
Apache Blackberry
Rubus 'Apache'
Browse all 21 Rubus varieties →
How to grow Rubus
What the Rubus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Rubus year
- PruneFebruary and July100% of varieties
Tip prune new canes (primocanes) in May/June; remove old fruiting canes (floricanes) after harvest
- FertilizeMarch95% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring and again mid-summer
- HarvestJune and July90% of varieties
Pick ripe, dark berries gently; harvest frequently for best flavor
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October71% of varieties
Plant bare root in early spring or container stock in spring/fall
- StakeApril–June43% of varieties
Provide a trellis or other support for canes as they grow.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds
- Monitor regularly for pests and diseases
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t neglect pruning, which can reduce fruit yield
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid planting in poorly drained areas
What goes wrong with Rubus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curling leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on undersides of leaves | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Japanese Beetles | Skeletonized leaves; beetles are metallic green and copper. | Hand-pick beetles into soapy water in the morning. Use floating row covers. Neem oil can be a deterrent. |
| Spotted Wing Drosophila | Small holes in ripening fruit, which quickly turns mushy. | Harvest fruit promptly. Use fine-mesh netting. Spinosad-based organic insecticides can be effective. |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Botrytis (Gray Mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on berries | Improve air circulation and remove affected fruit |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
Making more Rubus
Cuttings
- Select healthy canes in late winter
- Cut 6-8 inch sections with a sharp knife
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil
- Keep moist and place in indirect sunlight
- Roots develop in 6 weeks
Division
- Dig up mature plant in early spring
- Separate root clumps with sharp spade
- Replant divisions immediately
- Water thoroughly after planting
Rubus questions
How many types of Rubus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 21 distinct Rubus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 934 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Rubus grow in?
Across its varieties, Rubus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Rubus bloom?
Most Rubus varieties bloom in early summer, late spring, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Rubus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Rubus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
