California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), also known as Pacific Blackberry, is a valuable wildlife plant. The fruit is a favorite of many species of birds and mammals, including black bear. (Ursinus is Latin for bear.) The sweet berries are also edible to humans, although they should be picked with care, as the stems are very prickly. The berries can be eaten raw or cooked. The spreading habit of this shrub provides cover for a wide variety of birds and small mammals. In the wild, deer, rabbits, and other animals eat new shoots and foliage.
California Blackberry is easy to grow in the garden. It tolerates a range of soil types and sun exposures, including shady sites under trees and tall shrubs. It can grow in nutrient-poor soil but does require a moderate to high amount of water to thrive, especially in summer. This shrub can spread up to 6 ft in width, making it a useful groundcover plant. As with harvesting fruit, care should be taken when weeding and pruning. For safety, it’s best to plant California Blackberry away from walkways and other high-traffic areas.