Rubus arcticus
A slow-growing, thornless perennial bramble in the Rosaceae native to Arctic and alpine regions, bearing pink to magenta flowers and frost-hardy deep red to dark purple fruits composed of 10–30 drupelets.
Common Names
Arctic Raspberry, Arctic Bramble, Nagoonberry, Åkerbär
Summary
Arctic bramble, also known as Arctic raspberry or nagoonberry, is a slow-growing perennial subshrub native to subarctic and boreal regions of northern Europe, Asia, and North America. It forms a creeping mat via long woody rhizomes and typically reaches 0.2–0.3 m in height; leaves are trifoliolate; flowers are white to pale pink; berries are small, red to dark purple, and aromatic with a sweet flavor.
It grows best in moist, well-drained loamy soil in full sun to partial shade and is shade-intolerant, hardy to USDA zones 2–7. Propagation occurs by seed (requiring stratification and autumn sowing) or by division (spring or autumn). Flowers appear in June–July and fruits ripen in July–August; fruits are edible raw or cooked and used in jams and cakes; leaves are used as a tea substitute; fruit can be used for dye.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
8-24 inches
Spread
3 ft 3 in
Hardiness Zones
Zones 2-7
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun, partial shade.
Soil Type
Acidic, organic-matter-rich, well-drained loamy soil that remains moist.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained loamy soil.
Soil pH
5.0-7.0
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Slow-growing
Seasons of Interest
Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds are attracted.
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 494 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Rosales
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Rubus
Inferior Taxa
Rubus arcticus subsp. acaulis Rubus arcticus subsp. arcticus Rubus arcticus var. stellatus