Gooseberry
(Ribes uva-crispa)
Gooseberries are self-fertile, like half day to full sun and well-drained soil and are hardy to -40°F (USDA Zone 3). They can grow 3-5 feet tall and can bear 4-5+ pounds of fruit at maturity. Our varieties are resistant to powdery mildew, the most common disease of Gooseberries. Currant worm will feed on the foliage and is the same color as the foliage. It can easily be removed by hand.
Black Velvet, Gooseberry (Thorny)
A new variety, Black Velvet was selected for its mildew and disease resistance and its delicious, high quality fruit. These gooseberries are a dark purple color, quite large and sweet with a flavor that is sort of like a cross between blueberries and grapes! With a flavor like that you'll want lots and lots of fruit, so thankfully Black Velvet tends to be a prolific producer even in very cold places. The fruit tends to hang on the branches for quite a long time getting sweeter and sweeter until finally picked. This variety is a vigorous grower and has a very upright growing habit tending to mature at about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide and is also thorny. Very cold hardy to USDA zone 3.
Self-fertile but some say it will produce even more if planted near a different variety of gooseberry.
Captivator, Gooseberry (Less Thorny) *Organically Grown*
Captivator is a hybrid of European and American species. It has a large teardrop-shaped fruit. The plant is semi-thornless, turning yellow in Fall. This is a sweet berry, colored pink to red when fully ripe, ripening in late July. Captivator is mildew resistant and very cold hardy having originated in Canada. Hardy to zone 2.
Self-fertile (can produce fruit on it's own).
Red, Jostaberry
This unique jostaberry variety is a cross between Gooseberry and Red Currant. it is very disease resistant and quite vigorous making this an easy shrub to grow. Red Jostaberry usually begins to produce in 1-2 years and can produce around 10-20 pounds of fruit at maturity. The dark red berries are quite large with a sweet-tart flavor that is high in Vitamin C. It is wonderful for making into jams or jellies, using it in baked goods, and even for fresh eating. Grows about 3-5 feet tall and about 3-4 feet wide. Cold hardy to USDA zone 3.
Self-fertile (does not need to be planted near another variety to produce fruit).