Rubus is a sprawling genus of several hundred species that spans continents and climates, encompassing blackberries, raspberries, and dewberries in all their prickled, productive variety. Most grow as arching shrubs or vine-like scramblers, bearing compound leaves and pink spring flowers on canes that typically fruit in their second year before dying back. Fruiting times shift across species and cultivars, and some modern selections have been developed to produce on current-season canes as well as old ones. All of them provide food that wildlife finds irresistible.

They prefer acidic, well-drained soil and full sun, though many will produce adequately in partial shade. Native bees nest in the hollow dead canes, which is a good reason to leave spent stems cut to 12 to 24 inches rather than removing them entirely. The genus is not without problems: prickles, suckering, and a tendency to spread can make some species difficult to manage, and several wild types are considered weedy in disturbed areas. For the home garden, choosing improved cultivars suited to your climate and chill-hour requirements is well worth the time.