PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Partial sun to full shade; thrives in dappled woodland light, avoid intense midday sun that can scorch leaves
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil feels dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in poorly drained soil
Temperature
Hardy to -30°C; withstands cold temperate winters, prefers cool to mild growing temperatures
Characteristics
- Leaf: Large maple-like palmate lobes, 10–25 cm wide, fuzzy green upper surface
- Flower: Showy pink to purple, 5–8 cm diameter, five rounded petals with prominent yellow stamens
- Fruit: Red raspberry-like aggregate drupe, fuzzy texture, sweet edible flesh when ripe
- Stem: Young stems are green and bristly; mature stems turn brown with sparse prickles
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist during active growth and flowering
Fertilization
Top-dress with compost once at the start of the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers and fruit
Composted banana peel tea：Steep fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 with water for root drench to avoid nutrient burnPruning
- Remove dead, damaged, or diseased stems in late winter before new growth emerges
- Thin overcrowded branches to improve airflow and light penetration
- Prune back spent flower heads after blooming to encourage tidier growth
- Trim rhizome runners to control spread if colony becomes too dense
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic; no adverse effects from ingestion
Humans: No toxic effects reported; fruit is edible when ripe
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Edible ripe fruit for jams, jellies, or fresh eating; ornamental flowering shrub for shade gardens
