A gardening letter about the Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus discolor):

 

The Editor

California Life Home and Garden

The Sacramento Bee

Sacramento, CA

californialife@sacbee.com

To the Editor:

In your recent issue (July 19), you listed several plants that would be useful for home security vs. burglars and intruders. I would like to add the Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus discolor) to this list. This deciduous perennial Blackberry grows very rapidly in the spring and summer and is very thorny. In its first year, it produces long arching branches (canes) which may grow to ten feet in length. The first-year canes don't yield any fruit. However, second year canes produce heavy crops of delicious sweet Blackberries. In the Sacramento region, it would probably appreciate regular waterings during the summer heat. In my side yard, which I had to fence off to prevent my neighbor from mowing (without permission), these Blackberries grew spontaneously and now present a fomidable barrier to any potential intruder.

Yours truly,

 

James K. Sayre

21 July 2003