Boulder Raspberry
Rubus deliciosus
Shrub
Bloom
May — June
Color
White
Height
36—60 inches
Spread
48—72 inches
Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4—6 hours)
Water
Low — drought tolerant once established
A thornless Colorado native shrub named for the foothills canyons west of Boulder, where it drapes over rock outcrops. Large white flowers the size of wild roses cover the arching stems in late spring — the showiest bloom of any Front Range native shrub — and arching cinnamon-colored canes carry the structure through winter. The fruit is edible but dry and mostly goes to birds. Takes part shade better than most xeric shrubs, which makes it useful on north and east exposures.
Growing conditions
- Soil: Well-draining, rocky/loamy
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4—6 hours)
- Water: Low — drought tolerant once established
- Drought tolerance: Very good
- Hardiness: Colorado native / adapted · USDA Zones 4–7
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value: High — native bees; fruit and cover for birds
- Landscape use: Spring bloom, informal screening, slopes and retaining walls, part-shade xeric beds.
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