Variable Blackberry: A Lesser-Known Native Groundcover Worth Discovering
If you’re looking for a native plant that flies under the radar but offers unique charm to your landscape, let me introduce you to the variable blackberry (Rubus multiformis). This little-known member of the rose family might just be the hidden gem your garden has been waiting for.
What is Variable Blackberry?
Variable blackberry, scientifically known as Rubus multiformis, is a native perennial shrub that stays refreshingly compact. True to its name, this plant shows variability in its characteristics, which makes each specimen a bit of a delightful surprise. Also known by the synonym Rubus peracer, this low-growing shrub typically stays under 1.5 feet tall and never exceeds 3 feet at maturity.
Unlike its more aggressive blackberry cousins that can take over entire hillsides, variable blackberry maintains a manageable size that makes it perfect for smaller gardens and controlled landscapes.
Where Does Variable Blackberry Call Home?
This native beauty has made its home across several states in the northeastern and north-central United States. You’ll find variable blackberry growing naturally in Maine, Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Its native status means it’s perfectly adapted to local growing conditions and supports regional wildlife.
Why Consider Variable Blackberry for Your Garden?
Here are some compelling reasons to give this underappreciated native a spot in your landscape:
- True native credentials: Supporting local ecosystems while adding authentic regional character
- Manageable size: Unlike larger blackberry species, this one won’t take over your garden
- Versatile growing conditions: Its facultative wetland status means it can handle both moist and drier conditions
- Low maintenance: Once established, native plants typically require less fussing
- Wildlife support: Native Rubus species generally provide food and habitat for local wildlife
What to Expect: Growth and Appearance
Variable blackberry grows as a low shrub, making it excellent for groundcover applications or as an understory plant. While specific details about its flowers and fruit are limited in available literature, most Rubus species produce small white or pink flowers followed by aggregate berries that wildlife absolutely love.
The variable in its name suggests you might see differences in leaf shape, growth pattern, or other characteristics even among plants in the same location – which adds an element of natural intrigue to your garden.
Growing Conditions and Care
Based on its native range and wetland status, variable blackberry likely thrives in:
- Light conditions: Partial shade to full sun
- Soil: Moist, well-draining soil but adaptable to various moisture levels
- Hardiness zones: Likely zones 3-7, based on its geographic distribution
- pH: Probably adaptable to a range of soil pH levels
Landscape Uses
Variable blackberry works beautifully in:
- Native plant gardens
- Woodland edge plantings
- Rain gardens (given its facultative wetland status)
- Wildlife habitat gardens
- Naturalized areas where you want controlled groundcover
The Challenge: Finding Variable Blackberry
Here’s the honest truth – variable blackberry isn’t commonly available in nurseries. This lesser-known species might require some detective work to locate. Your best bets include:
- Native plant societies in its native range
- Specialized native plant nurseries
- Plant swaps and native plant sales
- Botanical gardens that might have seed or cutting programs
Supporting Your Local Ecosystem
When you choose native plants like variable blackberry, you’re making a statement about supporting local biodiversity. Native plants have co-evolved with local wildlife, providing the right kind of food and habitat that non-native plants simply can’t match.
While we don’t have specific data on variable blackberry’s wildlife benefits, Rubus species in general are fantastic for supporting pollinators with their flowers and providing food for birds and small mammals with their berries.
Final Thoughts
Variable blackberry might not be the flashiest plant in the garden center (if you can even find it there!), but sometimes the most rewarding gardening experiences come from growing something a little different. This native groundcover offers the satisfaction of supporting local ecosystems while adding an authentic, regional character to your landscape.
If you’re up for a bit of a treasure hunt to find this plant, you’ll be rewarded with a manageable, native shrub that’s perfectly adapted to your local conditions. Sometimes the best plants are the ones that make you work a little harder to find them – they tend to be worth the effort.
