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RUBUS thibetanus
Commonly known as Silver fern
Leaves silvery grey, flowers purple, fruits black or red
Further Reading....
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Deciduous
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Purple - Shades of purple/mauve/lilac/violet - solid purple.
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Height - 2m (6½ft) or more.
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Spread - 2m (6½ft) or more.
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Medium shrub - Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height - erect, thicket-forming with arching prickly shoots conspicuously white-bloomed in winter. Produces flowers 1cm (½in) across, mainly from the upper leaf axils followed by spherical fruit to 1.5cm (½in) across.
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Hardy - cold winter - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
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Full sun
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Additional Features - Ornamental bark -
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Pests & Diseases - grey mould (botrytis)
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Place of origin - western China
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Flower Shape - Saucer-shaped -
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Hardiness - Fully hardy -
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Leaf Colour (if not green) - Silver -
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Pruning group - Pruning group 2
Suitable for: Deciduous shrubs and trees that flower in Spring or early Summer on previous year's growth, including plants that produce new growth at or near ground level.
Pruning: Prune flowered shoots to strong buds. Cut back approximately 1/4 of old shoots to the base to promote replacement growth.
When: Annually, after flowering.
RHS groups 2 & 3 -
Seasonal Interest - Summer -
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Winter
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Soil Conditions - Fertile well drained soil - - moderately fertile.
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Wildlife - Bee friendly -
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Bird friendly
Jan
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Rubus - Care Guide
2m (6½ft) or more.
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2m (6½ft) or more. |
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50