'Emerald Carpet' raspberry
Rubus rolfei

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Rubus rolfei is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.6 m (2ft). It is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, 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. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Open places, mixed forests at elevations of 1300 - 3800 metres.

E. Asia - Formosa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. The yellow to orange-reddish fruit is up to 14mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit. A good ground cover plant for a sunny position or deep shade. It makes a firmly matted cover though it requires weeding for the first year or so. Plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Succeeds in deep shade. Plants are evergreen in most climates but they can lose their leaves in severe winters. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties. 'Emerald Carpet' is an ornamental thornless form with orange berries that resemble small raspberries. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Rubus pentalobus Hayata is a synonym of Rubus rolfei J.E.Vidal The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 7. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet with a limited spread. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant.

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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-9

Growth:

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

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

R. pentalobus Hayata is a synonym of R. rolfei J.E.Vidal