gooseberry

Also known as: catberry; English gooseberry; European gooseberry; feaberry; thape

A bushy, woody plant with thorny stems and deeply lobed green leaves. Small insignificant yellow-green flowers are produced in spring followed by oval fruit which ripen in mid-summer and can be green, yellow, pink or red when mature. The species has many named cultivars - some are ideal for preserving or pies and jams, whilst others are sweeter and can be eaten straight from the bush. Some cultivars show good resistance to disease.

gooseberry

Scientific classification

Species: gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
Genus: Ribes
Family: Grossulariaceae

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Toxicity: Fruit Edible · Shrubs
Plant type: 1-1.5 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

gooseberry pictures

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Distribution of gooseberry

Distribution map

Europe, Northern Africa, Southwestern Asia

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of gooseberry

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gooseberry care guide

Deep watering during dry spells, allowing slight surface drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Deep watering during dry spells, allowing slight surface drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced shrub or tree feed once each early spring

Pruning

Prune gooseberries in winter and summer

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter

Growing

Grow gooseberries in a moist but well-drained soil that has been improved with organic matter. Mildly alkaline (chalky) soils are tolerated. Fruiting is best in full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade. They can be grown as goblet-shaped bushes or trained forms such as cordons. Water well as fruits swell and keep the base of the plants weed and grass-free. For more advice see gooseberry cultivation

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