Yankee Blackberry
Rubus frondosus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Yankee Blackberry (Rubus frondosus) 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.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–72" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 32 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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Yankee blackberry is a native shrub that produces edible berries and white flowers in late spring. This deciduous plant spreads by underground stems to form colonies and can provide natural screening in larger landscapes.
In an HOA neighborhood
Yankee Blackberry 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 and can look unruly
- Thorny canes may be considered unsightly
- Winter appearance is bare and scraggly
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and beetles in May and June, while the berries feed birds and small mammals. The dense growth provides nesting sites and cover for wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Yankee Blackberry need?
- Yankee Blackberry grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Yankee Blackberry bloom?
- Yankee Blackberry blooms in May and June.
- Where is Yankee Blackberry native?
- Yankee Blackberry (Rubus frondosus) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 32 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Yankee Blackberry attract?
- Yankee Blackberry draws bees and beetles.
- Is Yankee Blackberry HOA-friendly?
- Yankee Blackberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Yankee Blackberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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