Purple Flowering Raspberry (rubus odoratus)

An attractive but seldom cultivated shrub with large, maple-like leaves. Stems are perennial, and not prickly, with flaking bark. The faintly fragrant, purple flowers about 1-1/2″ across are produced throughout the summer. The fruit, which somewhat resembles a small red raspberry, is edible but not produced in significant quantities. Tolerant of poorly drained soil and partial shade. Spreads slowly.