Evergreen Blackberry Cutleaf Blackberry
Near 'First bloom'Rubus laciniatus
Rosaceae · vine groundcover · naturalized
Last updated
Evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus), also called cutleaf blackberry, is a broadleaf shrub in the Rosaceae family originating from Eurasia, now widely naturalized in North America. It reaches 10 ft tall (12 ft at 20 years) with an erect, thicket-forming habit and fast growth. Pink to white flowers appear in large terminal prickly panicles. The distinctive deeply cut (laciniate) leaves are semi-evergreen.
Evergreen blackberry is hardy in zones 5a-8b and prefers part shade with wet-tolerant drainage (pH 5.2-7.7) and moderate water, tolerating anaerobic soil with a minimum 12-inch root depth. Thirty-two diseases and 4 pests are documented. It is classified as a Washington State Class C Noxious Weed with low drought tolerance.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Active Conidial Spread
Root Colonization Period
Active Infection & Secondary Spread
Active Below-ground Growth
+ 3 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (30)
Pests: Regionally Documented (4)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Evergreen Blackberry Cutleaf Blackberry has reached 'bud break' (844 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 'first bloom', predicted around Jun 12.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 190 |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 198 |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 253 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 294 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 328 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 330 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'Bud break' | 'First bloom' | 428 |
View full calendar (2 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● 'Bud break' BBCH '07' NOW | 844 | '' |
| ○ 'First bloom' BBCH '61' NEXT | 2863 | '' est. Jun 12 (forecast) |
Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=64, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.