Purple-flowering Raspberry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Rubus odoratus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Rubus odoratus is a multi-stemmed shrub that blooms rose-purple flowers in June and July, thriving in part shade with medium moisture along woodland edges and streambanks.

Toxicity unknown

Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Purple-flowering Raspberry as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

36"–72" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, CT, DE, GA and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Northern Lakes and Forests Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Northern Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Thimbleberry is a medium-sized native shrub with large, maple-like leaves and showy pink to purple flowers in summer. It produces edible red berries and creates attractive patches through underground spreading. The plant offers three seasons of interest with flowers, fruit, and decent fall color.

Growing Purple-flowering Raspberry

Grow Purple-flowering Raspberry in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Purple-flowering Raspberry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Spreads aggressively by underground runners
Can look unkempt and weedy
May be viewed as too wild or uncontrolled for formal landscapes

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles during summer blooming period. Birds and small mammals enjoy the edible berries in late summer.

Common questions

When does Purple-flowering Raspberry bloom?: It typically flowers in June and July, producing clusters of large rose-purple blooms at branch tips.
What pollinators visit Purple-flowering Raspberry?: Bees and beetles are the primary visitors, drawn to the open, saucer-shaped flowers.
What growing conditions does this shrub prefer?: It does best in part shade with medium, consistently moist soil, often found along woodland edges, forest margins, and stream banks.
Does Purple-flowering Raspberry produce fruit?: Yes, it produces a flattened, raspberry-like red fruit following the summer bloom period.
Is Purple-flowering Raspberry toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Purple-flowering Raspberry as toxic to livestock.
Is Purple-flowering Raspberry HOA-friendly?: Purple-flowering Raspberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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In an HOA neighborhood

Purple-flowering Raspberry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Spreads aggressively by underground runners

Can look unkempt and weedy

May be viewed as too wild or uncontrolled for formal landscapes

Common questions

When does Purple-flowering Raspberry bloom?

It typically flowers in June and July, producing clusters of large rose-purple blooms at branch tips.

What pollinators visit Purple-flowering Raspberry?

Bees and beetles are the primary visitors, drawn to the open, saucer-shaped flowers.

What growing conditions does this shrub prefer?

It does best in part shade with medium, consistently moist soil, often found along woodland edges, forest margins, and stream banks.

Does Purple-flowering Raspberry produce fruit?

Yes, it produces a flattened, raspberry-like red fruit following the summer bloom period.

Is Purple-flowering Raspberry toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Purple-flowering Raspberry as toxic to livestock.

Is Purple-flowering Raspberry HOA-friendly?

Purple-flowering Raspberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides