Korean raspberry
Rubus crataegifolius

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Rubus crataegifolius is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June, 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 semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Waste ground and clearings in mountains. Sunny thickets on slopes, forest margins, ravines and roadsides at elevations of 300 - 2500 metres.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is large and transparent, it is a raspberry with a sweet agreeable flavour. The dark red fruit is about 10mm in diameter. Leaves? - the record was unsure if they were edible.

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 sun or semi-shade. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there is at least one named variety. 'Jingu Jengal' is a high-yielding selection from Korea with larger fruits, up to 2g in weight. This species is a raspberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

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. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Kuma-ichigo, Santtalgi,

Synonyms

R. morifolius. non Muehl. R. savatieri. R. wrightii.