Dewberry Plant

Dewberry Plants - Rubus trivialis

The Dewberry Plant is a fruit-bearing perennial, whose small, sweet berries are the lesser-known sister of the typical Blackberry. The plant is native to the southern and midwestern United States, and the berries are especially favored in those areas for pies and jams.

Before the berries burst out in the summer, delicately beautiful white flowers are found in their place. The spring and summer interest of this resilient US native brings year-round beauty to your native or woodland garden. 

Plant Details - Dewberry Plant

Family: Rosaceae

Light Requirement: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water Needs: Moderate

Height: 1-3 ft

Spread: 3-6 ft

Growth Rate: Rapid

Soil Preference: Moist

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: White

Wildlife Value: Mammals and birds eat the berries, nectar provides pollination

Notable Characteristics - Dewberry Plant

The Dewberry Plant is naturally named for the delicious Dewberries it produces. It is a sprawling shrub with tangled, woody stems covered in thin hairs and small, red thorns. It is an aggressive spreader, and its thin, vine-like branches can easily spread up to six feet in your garden. Amidst the small, toothy leaves, it bears tiny white flowers.

The five round petals circle a green center. By summer, the flowers have died back to reveal an arching cluster of small, red berries that deepen to purple-black as they ripen.

Landscape and Maintenance - Dewberry Plant

This wild, thorny, and beautiful plant is native to the moist thickets, open woodlands and meadows of North America, so it is a resilient and hardy plant. The Dewberry Plant prefers full sun and is able to tolerate partial shade, but tends to grow rapidly in multiple favorable conditions.

Dewberry Plant is attractive to the whole wildlife community, as many small mammals, birds and insects eat the berries and spread the seeds. The leaves are highly attractive to rabbits and deer, however, so in a home garden, be sure to add extra protection so these hungry creatures won’t damage this stunning plant!