Rubus stipulatus (Rubus stipulatus)

Photo: LoganCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Rubus stipulatus Plant Care

Rubus stipulatus L.H.Bailey

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's distinct feature is its deeply lobed, toothed leaves with bristly undersides. Originally from the Pacific Northwest of North America, Rubus stipulatus is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage and ability to thrive in shady, woodland environments.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Rubus stipulatus?

Plant Rubus stipulatus in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 3a–6b) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Rubus stipulatus Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Rubus stipulatus?

Rubus stipulatus (Rubus stipulatus) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Rubus genus. Rubus stipulatus is native to the Great Lakes region in the north-central United States and Ontario, Canada.

Rubus stipulatus displays a spreading, thicket-forming shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Rubus stipulatus produces white or pink five-petaled flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Rubus stipulatus?

Water a young or newly planted Rubus stipulatus every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 3–5 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Rubus stipulatus Need?

Rubus stipulatus thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rubus stipulatus Prefer?

Rubus stipulatus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Rubus stipulatus prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rubus stipulatus?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Rubus stipulatus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Rubus stipulatus?

Feed Rubus stipulatus every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Rubus stipulatus?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Rubus stipulatus is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 6b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Rubus stipulatus?

Rubus stipulatus can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Rubus stipulatus?

Prune Rubus stipulatus while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Rubus stipulatus in Winter?

Rubus stipulatus is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Rubus stipulatus?

Rubus stipulatus can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to black raspberry plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Rubus stipulatus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Rubus stipulatus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Rubus stipulatus?

Rubus stipulatus is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, raspberry fruitworm. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Rubus stipulatus Need?

Rubus stipulatus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 6b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Rubus stipulatus is native to the Great Lakes region in the north-central United States and Ontario, Canada.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 3a – 6b

Keep exploring plants

Rubus stipulatus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Rubus genus — compare its care with other Rubus species on PlantoScan.

Rubus is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.

Rubus stipulatus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Rubus Species

Other Rubus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Rubus stipulatus L.H.Bailey, family Rosaceae (first published in Gentes Herbarum 7: 242 (1947)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rubus stipulatus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Logan, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 6b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Rubus stipulatus Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species