Arctic Bramble, Arctic raspberry, Dwarf raspberry
Rubus arcticus

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Also known as Nagoonberry in British Columbia. Fruit: Brownish purplish red, aromatic, sweet aggregate of drupes.

Rubus arcticus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 1. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Damp peats or gravels, especially on calcareous soils.

Northern N. America, N. Europe and N. Asia. Formerly native to Britain in the Scottish highlands

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 5

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very sweet, juicy and palatable with a pineapple-like aroma. Delicious when eaten out of hand, they are also used in making cakes, jams etc. Unfortunately, they are often not produced very prolifically in a garden situation in Britain, probably because they prefer colder winters. Flowers - raw. Sweet and delicious. The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position. A very variable species, it is sometimes divided into three species, viz.: R. arcticus, R. acaulis and R. stellatus. Suitable for growing in containers. Most often in acidic soils rich in organic matter. Rubus arcticus subsp. x stellarcticus G.Larss. is an unresolved name This name is unresolved, but some data suggest that it is synonymous with Rubus × stellarcticus (G.Larss.) H.E.Weber, but some data suggest that it is an infraspecific name of Rubus arcticus L..

Propagating it: Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 2-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Rubus arcticus ssp. acaulis - (Michx.)