Rubus ‘Benenden’ Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 5a – 9b
Family: Rosaceae
Rubus ‘Benenden’ is a vigorous, medium sized deciduous shrub. Its mid green leaves are broadly ovate with up to 5 shallow lobes and are up to 8cm long. Its stems are arching, mostly thorn-less and its bark is pale brown and peeling. Its white flowers have yellow stamen at its centre, five petals, are saucer shaped and are up to 5cm across. Its fruit are similar to those of the Bramble.
Rubus ‘Benenden’, commonly known as Tridel Berry ‘Benenden’ or Brenden Bramble, is a variety of Rubus X tridel. Rubus X tridel is a hybrid between Rubus deliciosus and Rubus trilobus. Rubus ‘Benenden’ is synonymous with Rubus tridel ‘Benenden’ and Rubus X tridel ‘Benenden’.
The etymological root of the binomial name Rubus is derived from the old Roman name for Rubus fruiticosus, the comm0n Bramble). Tridel is a hybrid name between its two parents, trilobus and deliciosus.
Rubus ‘Benenden’ (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Rubus ‘Benenden’ useful as an effective ground cover shrub.
Ecologically, R. ‘Benenden’ is attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit is attractive to birds and mammals.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given R. ‘Benenden’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
R. ‘Benenden’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Rubus ‘Benenden’ requires little maintenance. It may be pruned hard during the winter months.
