Happy ardening! Hardy to USDA Zone 3 Wide native range, from Alaska to California and the mountains of New Mexico and into northern Mexico, eastward through the Dakotas to the Great Lakes States. This soft red berry plant is, a species of Rubus genus. These seeds appeared to be more of a blend of thimbleberry … The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Thimbleberry provides cover and food for wildlife. The fast-growing thimbleberry flourishes in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 4. Growing in large patches, Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is a beautiful shrub with prominent white blossoms and large star-shaped leaves that form a dense cover.The stems are thornless. Vigorous root system can be used to stabilize banks and prevent erosion. )By Forest Jay Gauna. Thimbleberry has been slow to spread, about 12-18 inches high, with large, maple-like leaves in a lovely green color. Rubus parviflorus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate. Some of my customers have given up on the dreams of fruit with this plant. Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus Nutt. It appears to be fairly disease resistant also. A great wildlife plant. Whether you are a new gardener or an experienced one, we can help you learn new hings and grow your garden. It makes for a very attractive ground cover, and I plan to transplant it to some other areas. Thimbleberry is very low-maintenance and vigorous, especially if planted in a moist and sunny area. Thimbleberry grows best in loamy, well-drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded location. Growing wild from the northwest coast to the Great Lakes region, thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is prolific, growing easily and quickly after seeding in multiples varieties of soil. Thimbleberry is found growing in riparian zones, and moist shaded forests growing from sea level up to 6900 ft. (2100 m). The common name describes its appearance, as it does resemble a thimble from the top, where the thimble has little indentations to push down upon the needle. Discover gardening made easy. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade, nutrient rich moist to seasonally dry soil; will tolerate seasonal flooding. A few years later, I met a seed collector that was able to collect seed for me from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. Dense thickets of thimbleberry bushes provide food and habitat for birds, rodents, and other small wildlife. Northwest Native American tribes today still value this special plant as food, medicine, and family. It is hardy to zone (UK) 3 and is not frost tender. … Thimbleberry is a favourite berry of children and adults as well as other wildlife. This species is botanically known as Rubus parviflorus, and also by many other common names such as western thimbleberry, mountain sorrel, western thimble raspberry, etc. Showy clusters of fragrant white flowers attract bumblebees and other pollinators. Plus, if you have a gardening question, one of our helpful and friendly gardening experts can help answer it.