California (Pacific) Blackberry is a native, spreading sub-shrub with prickly stems and lobed, winter-deciduous leaves. It produces showy white flowers in spring and delicious blackberry fruits that provide habitat and food for birds and small animals. Well-suited for edible landscapes, erosion control, and as a barrier plant, it requires full sun, tolerates most soils, and regular water. With proper pruning and support, it will spread to provide berries and habitat benefits.

1. California (Pacific) Blackberry – Rubus ursinus
(ROO-bus
ur-SEE-nus)
Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Native to: Western N. America from British Columbia, Canada to Baja. Locally in Santa Monica Mtns
and likely in other areas of western Los Angeles Co. in past; common in moist places, stream sides,
canyons in many plant communities at elevations less than 2500 ft..
spreading sub-shrub mature height:1-4 ft. mature width: 10+ ft.,
spreads Woody, spreading cane shrub. Form is low-growing, sprawling or climbing. Stems are
covered with dense prickles (not the larger, hooked thorns of non-native species). Leaves are lobed,
winter-deciduous and typical of the cane fruits (raspberries, etc.). One parent of the boysenberry.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring – time depends on weather. Flowers are white, showy with
narrow petals compared to non-native species. Plants are most dioecious (separate male, female
plants) but not entirely so. Blackberry fruits are wonderful to eat raw, in baked goods, for
beverages, in jams/jellies and syrups or dried. Probably our best-tasting local native fruit!
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Mostly used in the edibles garden for its berries. Also used for erosion control
on slopes and as a barrier plant. Very woodsy feel. Does fine in large pots/containers/planters.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Himalayan Blackberry.
Excellent habitat plant: absolutely everything loves the fruits. Provides cover for birds,
small animals; attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun (coast) to part-shade (dappled shade or morning sun).
Any.
Like regular water – Zone 2-3 or 3 for good berries.
Fine with yearly top-dressing of compost.
Likes organic mulch.
Plant will spread via rhizomes and tip-rooting, so locate appropriately. May want to
provide support for easy picking. Prune out spent canes after flowering. Remove diseased plants.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: fresh; cold-moist treatment by layering: easy in spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 11-14, 20, 21, 24
5/29/12
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