Japanese Wineberry
Japanese Wineberries growing at Haoma Selections in Dartmouth, NS.
The Japanese wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) is a hardy, bramble-type shrub in the raspberry family, grown for its ornamental value and small, sweet-tart berries.
Originally from East Asia and introduced to North America in the late 1800s, it has since naturalized in parts of the eastern United States and Canada. Wineberries are easy to grow in a range of conditions, and their tolerance for partial shade makes them well suited to woodland gardens, hedgerows, and permaculture plantings.
Appearance & Growth Cycle
Canes & Leaves: Stems are first-year primocanes (1–3 m tall), bearing large pinnate leaves; second-year floricanes branch out and flower. Leaves have white undersides, giving a softly felted look.
Distinctive Hairs: The stems and fruit calyces are covered with glandular red hairs that secrete sticky droplets—which trap insects (likely as pest deterrence, not nutrition)—giving the plant its red, furry aesthetic.
Flavor & Uses
The fruit is small, shiny, wine‑red, aromatic, and sweet with a bright tartness. It harvests easily from July through early autumn and is widely used fresh or processed into jams, pies, jellies, and desserts.
Wineberries are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and essential minerals—making them as nutritious as they are delicious.
Cultivation Tips
Site & Soil
Adaptable to full sun or partial shade, they prefer moist, well‑draining soil but aren’t fussy about soil type. Woodland gardens, dappled borders, and fruit hedges are ideal settings.
Planting & Propagation
Seeds benefit from soaking and cold stratification for about 90 days before planting; germination typically takes 2–4 weeks at moderate warmth (15–18 °C).
The plant also spreads via tip-layering—where cane tips root upon touching the soil—making it efficient to propagate from strong existing plants.
Pruning & Harvesting
As with raspberries, prune out old floricanes after harvest, leaving new growth for the next season.
Harvest begins in midsummer when berries detach easily from their stalks.
Pest Resistance
The sticky glandular hairs and bristly calyces naturally deter pests such as raspberry beetles and aphids—making Japanese Wineberry low-maintenance and largely disease-immune.
Cautions & Considerations
Once established, wineberries can spread vigorously and behave invasively in some climates—dense thickets can form that outcompete native flora. Some regions (e.g. New York, Connecticut) list it as a regulated species.
Hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Young plants may benefit from frost protection during their first two winters.
Japanese Wineberry
Seeds & Plants
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