Nova Raspberry vs Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry) - TreeTime.ca

Nova Raspberry vs Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry)

Rubus pubescens

Rubus x Nova

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry)
Nova Raspberry

Dewberry (Rubus pubescens) is a native, low-growing perennial that spreads by creeping stems to form a natural groundcover. In spring, it bears small white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by bright red edible berries resembling tiny raspberries. They are an important food source for birds and mammals.

Widespread across Canada, Dewberry serves as a larval host plant for butterflies such as the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), adding to its ecological value. It is a suitable choice for naturalization, pollinator gardens, habitat plantings, and ecological restoration projects.

Taste is the reason people buy the Nova Raspberry.

Nova canes have very few spines. As it has a firmer berry, it is commonly planted for commercial plantings where a harvester is used.

The Nova Raspberry gets its name from where it was bred, in Nova Scotia. It was created to survive and thrive in the varying climates of Canada.

The Nova Raspberry is a fast-growing floricane. This means that raspberries will not grow on canes the year they first grow. The mature canes they do grow on, however, produce more berries than primocane varieties.

Dewberry (Dwarf Raspberry) Quick Facts

Nova Raspberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, trailing
Spreading: stolons - medium
Suckering: high


Fall colour: reddish or purplish
Flowers: small, white
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: red, edible
Berries: red, slightly acidic
Firmness: firm
Harvest: mid-summer
Harvest: mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: creeping red raspberry, dwarf raspberry, dwarf red blackberry, dwarf red raspberry, trailing raspberry