Rydberg’s Blackberry: A Rare Native Gem You Probably Can’t (and Maybe Shouldn’t) Grow
Ever heard of Rydberg’s blackberry? Don’t worry if you haven’t – you’re in good company. This mysterious little native shrub, scientifically known as Rubus rydbergianus, is one of those plants that makes botanists scratch their heads and gardeners wonder if it even exists.
What Exactly Is Rydberg’s Blackberry?
Rydberg’s blackberry is a perennial, low-growing shrub that stays refreshingly compact in our gardens. Unlike its more boisterous blackberry cousins that can take over entire fence lines, this little guy typically maxes out at just 1.5 feet tall, with some specimens reaching up to 3 feet if they’re feeling particularly ambitious.
This diminutive shrub is native to the lower 48 states, though its documented presence is currently limited to New York state. That’s right – this could be New York’s own special blackberry, though the jury’s still out on just how special (or real) it actually is.
The Mystery of the Missing Information
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating). Rydberg’s blackberry has what botanists call a SUSHQ conservation status, which essentially means we have no idea what’s going on with this plant. It’s like the botanical equivalent of a shrug emoji.
The lack of information about this species raises some red flags for home gardeners:
- No documented growing conditions or care requirements
- Unknown wildlife and pollinator benefits
- Unclear propagation methods
- Questionable availability in the nursery trade
Should You Try to Grow It?
The short answer? Probably not. While the idea of growing a rare native plant might sound appealing, there are several reasons to pump the brakes on this particular species:
Rarity Concerns: With such limited documentation and an undefined conservation status, we don’t know if this plant is rare due to natural scarcity or if it’s actually a misidentified variant of another species. Either way, attempting to source it could be problematic.
Availability Issues: You’re unlikely to find Rydberg’s blackberry at your local nursery, online retailer, or even specialty native plant sales. The lack of cultivation information suggests it’s not in commercial production.
Unknown Garden Performance: Without documented growing conditions, hardiness zones, or care requirements, you’d be flying blind if you somehow managed to acquire this plant.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of chasing this botanical unicorn, consider these well-documented native Rubus species that offer similar compact growth and proven garden performance:
- Dwarf Red Blackberry (Rubus pubescens): A low-growing native with excellent wildlife value
- Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus): Offers beautiful white flowers and attractive foliage
- Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus strigosus): Provides food for wildlife and humans alike
The Bottom Line
While Rydberg’s blackberry might sound like an intriguing addition to a native plant collection, the reality is that this species exists more in botanical limbo than in actual gardens. The combination of extremely limited information, questionable availability, and undefined conservation status makes it a poor choice for home gardeners.
Your garden (and local ecosystem) will be much better served by choosing well-documented native alternatives that provide known benefits to wildlife, have established care requirements, and are readily available from reputable sources. Sometimes the most responsible thing we can do as native plant enthusiasts is to admire rare species from afar and focus our gardening efforts on plants we can actually grow successfully.
Save your energy for native plants that will thrive in your garden and support local wildlife – there are plenty of amazing options that don’t require a botanical detective license to grow!
