Japanese Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to grow something a little more unusual while still enjoying reliable crops and year-round interest.
Unlike the more common soft fruits, Wineberries stand out for both their ornamental value and their distinctive flavour, making them a rewarding addition to any garden.
In summer, the plant produces eye-catching bright orange berries that ripen to a deep crimson, offering a unique flavour that is both sweet and slightly tart. These delicious fruits are perfect for eating fresh from the plant or for use in jams, jellies, syrups and desserts.
As the berries develop, they are enclosed in a natural protective calyx, while the stems are coated in soft golden bristles. These bristles are not sharp but help to deter birds, allowing you to enjoy more of the harvest. The plant also works beautifully as an ornamental climber, with attractive red canes that add winter colour once flowering and fruiting have finished.
The Japanese Wineberry is self-fertile and crops reliably in August, making it a great choice for home growers looking for something a little different.
Plants are approximately 60cm tall including 3L pot.
Why Grow Japanese Wineberries?
- Striking, bright orange-to-crimson berries with a unique sweet-tart flavour.
- Perfect for eating fresh or making jams, jellies, and desserts.
- Ornamental value with golden bristled stems in summer and attractive red canes in winter.
- The soft bristles help deter birds, protecting your fruit.
- A vigorous climber, ideal for trellises, fences or small vertical spaces.
- Self-fertile - one plant is enough for a good harvest.
- Long-lasting garden interest, from flowering to fruiting and winter colour.
- Easy to grow in well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position.
When & How to Grow
- Planting Time: Best planted in the spring or autumn.
- Harvest Season: August
- Size & Spread: Grows to approximately 3m (9.8ft) tall and 2m (6.5ft) wide.
- Planting Guide: Plant 1.5m (5ft) apart, with rows spaced 1.5m (5ft) apart.
Planting Advice
Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position. Soak the root ball thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot and mix organic matter and a general fertiliser into the backfill. Water well and continue to water regularly until established.
Aftercare
Train canes along wires or supports. Remove canes that have already fruited and replace them with new growth. As the plant is vigorous, pinch back stems in spring to encourage branching and improve fruiting.
For gardeners who enjoy combining beauty with productivity, the Japanese Wineberry offers the best of both worlds: eye-catching foliage and stems, unusual and flavourful fruit, and a long season of interest that extends well beyond the summer harvest.
