Thimbleberry is a native raspberry of moist, streamside environments in the mountains of the West. It makes an excellent addition to an informal shade planting that will receive ample water. Thimbleberry is useful as a lush-looking foliage plant on a range of sites, but it requires heavy winter snow cover to flower. It has large, showy flowers, especially for a raspberry, and deep pink fruits that are shallowly thimble-shaped. These are tasty, if a little seedier and drier than those of domestic raspberries. Thimbleberry propagates itself through underground runners and can get a bit unruly, especially in a truly wet place. The new shoots are easily mowed, however. In drier environments, its spread can be controlled with judiciously targeted watering. Thimbleberry combines well with other shade-tolerant shrubs like creeping Oregon grape and mountain lover. It makes a pretty backdrop for perennials like blooming sally and leafy jacob’s ladder.