Among the many relatives of raspberry and blackberry, the Japanese wineberry is the most striking. What sets it apart from all others you see from afar: its canes are covered all over with dense, bright red, soft bristles that glow in sunlight. It is thus ornamental plant and nibble shrub at once, a rare combination that makes it a small treasure in the garden.
The small, glossy red fruits are a fine bonus. They taste sweet-sour, refreshing and a little of wine, hence the name. This article introduces the red-bristled rarity to you, shows its ornamental and useful value and how to prune it like a blackberry and keep it in check.
Between ornament and nibble
The special appeal of the Japanese wineberry lies in its double role. As an ornamental plant it charms with the red bristles that cover the entire overhanging canes. Unlike the hard thorns of the blackberry these bristles are soft and glandular, they do not prick. In winter, when the leaves fall, the red, bristly canes come fully into their own, especially beautiful in the deep backlight of the cold season.
As a nibble shrub it delivers its small fruits in high summer, from weeks 28 to 32. They sit in strikingly red-bristled calyx husks that open on ripening and release the glossy berries. In flavour they lie between raspberry and currant, sweet-sour and juicy. You nibble them fresh from the shrub or process them into jelly and preserve. For large amounts it is too small and too rare, but as a special nibble it is a delight.
Pruning by the blackberry principle
The Japanese wineberry belongs to the genus Rubus and behaves in pruning like its relatives blackberry and summer raspberry: it bears on the previous year's canes. A cane grows in one year, overwinters and bears fruit the following summer, after which it dies.
Tie in canes
Train the long, overhanging canes on a trellis or fence, similar to the blackberry. That way the plant stays clear and the fruits are easy to reach.
Remove spent canes
After the harvest cut out the canes that have borne at ground level. They do not bear again.
Tie in new canes for next year
Leave the strongest young canes and tie them in. On them you harvest next summer.
Limit spreading
Remove unwanted layers and seedlings consistently. The wineberry likes to root at hanging cane tips and otherwise spreads.
Whoever already grows blackberries or raspberries knows the principle. How to train and prune Rubus shrubs on a trellis is described in detail in Tayberry and loganberry and for the raspberry in Raspberries, varieties, pruning and runners.
Red bristles for the eye, sweet-sour fruits for the palate: the Japanese wineberry is ornament and nibble in one. You prune it like a blackberry and keep an eye on its spreading.
The core idea for the Japanese wineberry
Frequently asked questions
How does the Japanese wineberry taste?
Its small, glossy red fruits taste sweet-sour and refreshing, in flavour between raspberry and currant with a light wine aroma. You nibble them fresh or process them into jelly and preserve.
Why does the Japanese wineberry have red bristles?
The dense, red glandular bristles cover the whole canes and are its trademark. Unlike the hard thorns of the blackberry they are soft and do not prick. They give the plant its high ornamental value, especially in winter backlight.
How do you prune the Japanese wineberry?
By the blackberry principle: it bears on the previous year's canes. After the harvest you cut out the spent canes at ground level and tie in the strongest new canes for next year on a trellis.
Does the Japanese wineberry spread strongly?
Yes, it tends to. Its cane tips root where they touch the ground, and birds spread the seeds. In mild regions it can go wild. In the garden you keep it in check by removing layers and seedlings.
Is the Japanese wineberry hardy?
Yes, it is well hardy and survives normal winters without trouble. The related raspberry and blackberry are similarly robust. Winter protection is usually not necessary.
