Other Names:  R. lasiostylus var. hupehensis

Description:

Unlike more common raspberries, this variety is an upright shrub with oval, toothed green leaves; interesting silver-white, spiny stems add tremendous winter interest; pruning is recommended on a yearly or bi-yearly basis to promote upright habit

Ornamental Features

Ghost Bramble has attractive green deciduous foliage on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The serrated oval compound leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. It features dainty clusters of white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer. It produces black berries in mid summer. The spiny bark and white branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Ghost Bramble is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Disease
• Spiny

Ghost Bramble is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Ghost Bramble will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Ghost Bramble makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.