Ornamental Bramble Collection

This Ornamental Bramble Collection is a set of three varieties of brambles, in Latin Rubus, selected for their beauty and ease of cultivation. These perennial plants and shrubs offer decorative foliage and flowering that spans from spring to summer. These hardy and drought-tolerant brambles thrive in well-drained soil, even quite poor, and tolerate both light shade and full sun. Perfect for natural gardens, they bring a touch of rustic elegance while promoting biodiversity.

The collection consists of:

1 Tricolor Bramble (Rubus tricolor): a creeping variety reaching 30 to 50 cm in height and spreading over 2 metres. Its evergreen and glossy foliage is a deep green, and its delicate small white flowers appear in summer. It is ideal for ground cover and creating carpets of greenery.

1 Rubus thibetanus ‘Silver Fern’: this shrubby bramble is distinguished by its silver and hairy leaves, giving it an almost ghostly appearance. It reaches 1.5 m to 2 m in height and 1 m in width, in rich soil. Its summer flowering, consisting of small white flowers, is discreet but charming. It is perfect for adding a bright touch to shaded corners.

1 Rubus spectabilis ‘Olympic Double’ (‘Flore Pleno’): this shrubby variety measures about 1.5 m in height and produces a rather spectacular double flowering of bright magenta pink from spring. Its vivid green foliage adds an interesting texture to the garden. Ideal for flowering hedges or mixed borders.

The brambles in this collection should be planted in spring or autumn, in well-prepared and loosened soil that is not too dry in summer. In a large border, they should be arranged at the front or back depending on their respective heights: the Tricolor Bramble at the front for ground cover and the other two at the back. Count 3 plants per m² for a dense, ground-covering effect, maintaining a spacing of 80 cm between plants to allow for good development.

Combine these brambles with 'Astilbe 'Fanal' whose ruby red flowers will harmonise perfectly with Rubus spectabilis ‘Olympic Double’. Plant 3 to 4 plants at the back for a smooth transition. Add some Perennial Geraniums ‘Rozanne’, which will form a blue carpet in harmony with the Tricolor Bramble. Finally, to create a contrast of texture and colour, plant Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ with its dark purple foliage mixed with Rubus thibetanus ‘Silver Fern’. Plant 5 to 6 Heucheras in front of or between the brambles to create an elegant and natural understory.