Easy to recognize due to its large, maple-like leaves and long-blooming, large purple-pink flowers, this thornless 3-6’ shrub has a suckering habit and is ideal for filling large spaces.  Thimbleberry (another common name) thrives in full sun to full shade and a variety of soil conditions.  Purple-pink flowers with creamy yellow centers bloom successively April-August, followed by tart purple-pink raspberries on thornless canes starting in July and finishing late October.  Flowering raspberry is self-fertile, but two or more shrubs will increase fruit production.  This mounding plant looks beautiful from spring to fall, and delicate fragrance wafts from both its flowers and leaves.  Exfoliating bark extends the plant’s beauty into winter.
 
Commonly found along woodland edges, in moist areas, and in partial shade.  Easily grown in large areas, although adjacent plants or paths may be desirable to contain spread.  Especially attractive when massed to form broad patches on banks and slopes or when used as low hedges or screens, in cottage gardens, and along fences.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 3-6’ tall and wide. Suckers to form colonies.
 
Performs best in full sun, but grows in part shade and tolerates full shade with fewer blooms and berries.
 
Grows best in well-drained, gravelly, sandy, or loamy soils with medium moisture. Adapts to clay and tolerates drought and flooding.
 
Five-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves with serrated edges turn pale yellow in fall.
 
Stems are hairy but not prickly.  Older bark exfoliates and has scent similar to cedar.

Deer resistant.
 
Wildlife Value:
Hosts 146 species of lepidoptera larvae, including large lace-border moth, Isabella tiger moth, blinded sphinx, crocus geometer, and specialist moth lettered habrosyne.  Native and honey bees, songbirds, gamebirds