Flowering Raspberry is a large, thornless shrub prized for its showy, rose-purple flowers that bloom for several weeks in early summer — making it one of the most ornamental of all native brambles. Unlike most Rubus species, it is grown primarily as an ornamental, though it does produce small, somewhat dry, red berries that are edible but not flavorful. The large, maple-like leaves are fragrant when crushed. It grows naturally in rocky woodland edges and ravines in the Appalachians and northeastern North America.
Best time to see a Flowering Raspberry
The best time to see a Flowering Raspberry is June–July, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 20,296 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Flowering Raspberry? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Flowering Raspberry sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Flowering Raspberry? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Flowering Raspberry is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love plants? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.