You can always tell the pot smokers from the non-users the first time they as new visitors walks up our driveway. At a particular point in this short journey, the hemp users invariably jump, which always makes me giggle because it is so indisputably revealing. It is true – there are some very real similarities that are bound to make any horticulturally inclined citizens look twice – its tall stature for one, and the graceful layers of palmate leaves. The plant afficionados always catch themselves and turn events around by saying something along the lines of: “Oh, you have a Rubus lineatus! Yes, aren’t those wonderful!”, they say approvingly. I can only agree. The first time I ever saw one was at the Lan-Su Garden here in Portland. Mouth agape, I had the wherewithall to photograph the sign identifying it along with the fabulous leaves themselves before I mesmerized stumbled out, but for a long while after that, my steaming hot desire was left unsatiated. That is, until one day I leisurely wandered about in Garden Fever – a great little nearby nursery where I always make an excuse to blow off some time whenever opportunity arises. There it was, a single pot semi-hidden in a corner behind some other pots displaying other plants. For a moment, I suspected that a fellow shopper must have hidden it there while planning for a later pick-up, but that this sneaky maneuver had done nothing to deflect my hawk-eye vision. The shopper in question was doubtlessly nearby, cursing his misfortune, as I did a little victory dance in sheer delight. But no – no one in sight looked even a tad bit dismayed, so I think I was just particularly lucky that day.
If I have to be specific, it was the finely pleated leaves that completely floored me when I first saw it. They are unlike any others!
Supposedly hardy to Zon 9, the first couple of winters I had it, it died back completely. I was chewing on my nails until I finally detected new life emerging around the crown as the days grew longer and warmer. Whew! I decided to move it to the east side of the house, into an inverted corner where I imagined it would benefit from the additional shelter from icy winds. Silly perhaps, as it is both a Himalayan plant, and a relative of the blackberry. I mean, really – who am I kidding? Not sure why I worried so much… Granted, that last winter was an unusually mild one, but it stood tall, kept most of its leaves, and now reaches the eaves of our house.
You can clearly see the reddish sheaths from which new leaves emerge.
In terms of care, it is the perfect plant for a lazy gardener. It gets about a half day of direct sun, I don’t water it much, and I amended the soil somewhat at planting time, but have not fertilized it since. It simply lives at its own pace. I didn’t expect it to live quite that well – it now effectively screens the gas meter, which was unintentional. (Not that I mind…) But, I cross my fingers and hope that any future Pacific Power Company officials will have empathy for my addiction, and do what nearly everyone else does, which is look wide-eyed in admiration and exclaim; “Wow, what an awesome plant!”
Before they unfold, the leaves are beautifully silvery. In this close-up, you can also see how the edges of the serrated leaves are deliciously dipped in the same reddish brown of the aforementioned sheaths. The far-away effect is that each leaf has an extremely attractive thin, dark outline.
The stems have that same reddish brown color, which sets of the leaves beautifully!
I enjoy the textural pairing with a Hebe glauca which also helps bring out a bluish cast to the leaves.
Supposedly, Rubus lineatus produces edible berries resembling blackberries, except orange. I haven’t yet seen any evidence of this on my shrub, but all good things come to those who wait… right?
The Creative Flux 
I am so glad I snatched the one you brought to the swap. I had no idea it would reach those proportions. I hope I can make mine that happy. Nice writing, by the way.
Thanks Ricki! I remember seeing it at the swap… Obviously a gardener of good taste, I thought to myself. But sorry, it didn’t come from me. If we have another mild winter like the last one, I bet yours will catch up in no time. After all, it is a blackberry… 🙂
This one of the first plants I bought , from Cistus, for my garden. And How I discovered the blogging community !
What can I say? It’s just one of those magical plants that bring good things. 😉
Linda – did yours get berries yet? I wonder what it takes…
I have this plant growing in my gravel garden. I love it!
I love it too. It is so gracefully beautiful! Did yours get berries yet?
I have had other shrubs where I waited four or five years – then suddenly lots of berries.
Well, maybe then there is still hope. It really had a rough first couple of years. Maybe a mellow winter like the last is what it needs?
I bought mine at a HPSO Plant sale one year…I love it but it doesn’t look as lush and gorgeous as yours appears to. Beautiful photos of a great plant!
Thanks Loree!
Guess what! I just discovered berries on mine!
Oh how cool! Do you know if you can eat them? Would love to see pictures along with a report! 🙂
Loree – can you believe it! I found a berry on mine today! And, there are more coming, but they are still just developing. Wo-hoo! It looked just like a raspberry, but smaller. Probably because I haven’t watered it much. It tasted alright too, and I didn’t fall ill. I think I’ll be a little more generous with the juice from now on. 🙂
That is one cute plant, I love the crinkly lined leaves…to bad it’s not hardy enough for my zone 5 garden…but I can dream.
Jen
You know – my mother who lives in zone 5 took a cutting, which grew really nicely. It survived the winter in a pot in her garage… nudge,nudge, wink, wink… 😉
Such a beautiful post on a beautiful plant! I love mine, but it isn’t nearly as happy as yours. I’m going to try a new sheltered spot for it. And Ricki, I brought the start to the plant swap.
Thanks Laura! I bet if it gets some more wiggle room, it will respond. As I recall, it looked a little like it was getting smothered by that fabulous bully Tetrapanax! 🙂
Reblogged this on Flutter & Hum and commented:
One of my absolute favorites – reblogged from The Creative Flux.