Solved Mystery climber - possibly an edible?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Clare G, Jul 1, 2023.

  1. Clare G

    Clare G Super Gardener

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    If anyone can ID this climber, I'd be grateful! It's growing in a rather neglected community garden up the road, in a large container - quite a lot of the plants being grown there are edibles, so quite likely this one is too. It looks at first glance like a bramble - grows in a similar way, has prickly stalks (though they are softer than a bramble's, if touched) but the leaves are different and so are the strange clusters of dark-red fuzzy buds. None of those are out yet.

    Total size at present say a metre high by a couple of metres wide. And definitely there to be cultivated - as the last photo shows, some stems have been tied in to the screen behind.
    P7012023.JPG P7012024.JPG P7012027.JPG
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Could it be a Japanese wine berry.
     
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    • Clare G

      Clare G Super Gardener

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      I think you're right @pete, having looked those up! Interesting. It's very decorative, I'm wondering whether I might be able to squeeze one in here.

      If anyone's actually grown one I'd be interested to learn 1) whether the berries taste good and 2) whether it throws up canes all over the place, like the raspberry plant I ended up having to get rid of!
       
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      • Victoria

        Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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        I had one in 2009 here but it only lasted the year so can't comment.
         
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        • Silver surfer

          Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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          Had one in Welsh garden....Rubus phoenicolasius ..common name Japanese wine berry.
          It was just a free standing shrub.
          Did well in semi shade.
          Fruits were beautiful.

          RUBUS  PHOENICOLASIUS 13-06-2008 16-13-42.jpg RUBUS  PHOENICOLASIUS 13-06-2008 16-18-09.jpg RUBUS  PHOENICOLASIUS 13-06-2008 16-18-25.jpg RUBUS  PHOENICOLASIUS 13-06-2008 16-19-06.jpg RUBUS  PHOENICOLASIUS 13-07-2008 18-30-45.jpg
           
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          • Clare G

            Clare G Super Gardener

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            Thank you all very much; I will keep an eye on the one up the road now as it flowers and fruits, and maybe buy one of my own this autumn :).
             
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Any chance they could let you have a couple of cuttings now?
             
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            • Clare G

              Clare G Super Gardener

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              I'd thought of that @pete and will certainly do so, if I ever spot anyone working there - it's not that well maintained. (But is overlooked, so I wouldn't want to risk just taking them :yikes:.)
               
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                I know its probably not that expensive to buy a plant but often I just get more fun out of propagating something, but yes, best to ask.
                 
              • Clare G

                Clare G Super Gardener

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                Agreed, nothing beats looking at a nice mature plant in your garden knowing that you've grown it yourself from a cutting. Always a satisfying sort of achievement :yes:
                 
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