Rubus henryi
| Rubus henryi | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Rubus henryi
Propagation: 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[1].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[1].
Cultivation: Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[2][3][1], preferring light shade[4]. Requires a fertile humus-rich soil[4]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity so long as the soil does not become dry[4].
Hardy to about -14°c[4].
A scrambling climbing plant, supporting itself by means of hooked prickles[5]. The plant is moderately fast-growing and can become invasive when in good conditions[4]. Plants are very vigorous[6].
The plant has biennial stems produced from a perennial rootstock. These stems flower and fruit in their second year and then die[4].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - C. and W. China.
Habitat: Slopes, valleys, mountainous areas, forests and thickets at elevations to 2500 metres in Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan and Sichuan Provinces, China[7].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. A very sweet flavour[8]. The black fruit is 13 - 15mm in diameter[7].
The young leaves are used to make tea[7].
Usage: A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.