Purple-flowering Raspberry

Rubus odoratus
 
Purple-flowering Raspberry is a striking deciduous shrub valued for its large, rose-like purple flowers and broad, maple-shaped leaves. Blooming from early to mid-summer, its showy, fragrant blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Unlike many raspberries, this species lacks thorns, making it a friendly choice for gardens and naturalized landscapes. Its fuzzy, red fruit is edible but dry and seedy, serving as a food source for birds and wildlife. Thriving in moist, well-drained soils, Purple-flowering Raspberry is an excellent choice for woodland edges, shaded gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings. 
 
Try planting Purple-flowering Raspberry with Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), Large-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla), and woodland sedges (Carex blanda, Carex formosa).  
 
Photo Credit: Zack Harris