Rubus hirtus, commonly referred to as the Hairy Blackberry, is a deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and scrublands across southern and central Europe, Belarus, Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Turkey. It typically grows to a height of 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) with a similar spread, and is characterized by its arching canes covered in small, stiff hairs. The plant produces white to pale pink flowers in late spring to early summer, which are moderately showy and give way to edible blackberries that are attractive to wildlife. The fruit is also appreciated by humans for its culinary uses.

The Hairy Blackberry is valued for its fruit production and as a wildlife attractant in gardens. It is suitable for naturalistic plantings, hedgerows, and can be used to stabilize soil in restoration projects. This species prefers well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soil types, and requires full sun to part shade conditions. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can become quite dense and may require pruning to manage its spread. Gardeners should be aware that Rubus hirtus can be potentially invasive outside its native range and may outcompete local flora.CC BY-SA 4.0