Black and red Currant and Gooseberry (Berries, minor fruits and fruit trees)

Very hardy, productive variety with good resistance to powdery mildew. Produces large, translucent berries with smooth, red skin and juicy, tangy flesh in mid-July. Delicious to munch, the berries are ideal for jams, jellies and pies.

Hardiness zone: 3

Dark purple to black colour berries bursting with anti-oxidants on a shrub, used in traditional herbalism. In order to encourage the production of young shoots, remove branches 4 years of age or older from the ground. They are recognized by their very dark bark. Ideally keep 12 branches per mature plant. Self-fertile, although planting two or more plants offer a much better yield. Ben Tiran is a variety known for its vigorous growth and more compact growth. Its fruits grouped in small bunches are of a good size (1.30 g), of pleasantly sweet flavor and with homogeneous maturation. Ideal for fresh consumption and caning.

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The Black Wellington blackcurrant is an early, vigorous variety, with beautiful bunches of slightly acid black fruit. Enjoy blackcurrants in juices, jams, pies or as an accompaniment to savory dishes. Preferably planted in autumn or spring, with regular watering. Harvesting begins in early July.

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Zone 3

Large, fragrant black berries. Harvested mid-season (July). Sweet, unique, musky taste. Maximum fruit production on 2-3 year-old branches. Addition of well-decomposed manure in autumn. Rust-resistant variety. Perfect for jams and jellies.

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This dwarf shrub grows to 3-4 feet high and produces large, high-quality black berries in mid-july, year after year. The large berries are flavourful. The plant withstands freezing temperatures and associated depredation. Berries can be eaten fresh off the plant or made into jams, jellies, and pies. Zone 3a

The unique sweet-tart taste of currants has been cherished for many years in Europe. Currants are not well known to gardeners. Red currants are among the most beautiful of fruits. Their bright, shiny red clusters enhance any dish to which they are added.

Amazing but true: black currants have 5 times the Vitamin C content of oranges by weight! Black Currants have a strong flavor that is highly prized in Europe. Most Americans and canadians don’t like their taste eaten fresh. However, they are excellent used in making jams, syrups or dried as "raisins". Pollination: Self-pollinating, Except black currants are partially self fruitful but sometimes make larger crops with another black currant as a pollenizer. Plant spacing: 4 feet apart. Size at maturity: 3-5 feet tall. Hardiness: Zones 3 minimum. Exposure: Sun or partial shade. Ripening: July. Life expectancy: 15 to 30 yrs.

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White Pearl is an albino currant cultivar, less colour but much more versatile than red currant. In Europe, gardeners have grown and love this beautiful edible shrub for many years. White Pearl is self-pollinating.

The sweet and delicious berries, a translucent greenish white colour, are delicious for fresh eating or lovely in pie, jams and jelly. The fruit ripens in July.

White Pearl Currant grows best in full sun or part shade with moist but well-drained clay loam. Pruning is important, and shoots older than 3 years should be removed to keep the delicious fruit coming!

zone 3

The deep purple fruits are the size of seedless grapes. They are very vigorous in growth. Flavor is very good to excellent when they ripen on the bush. Black Velvet has won awards for its superb qualities and disease and mildew resistance. Space 5' circle. Zones 4, possible in zone 3b also.

Zone 2b

Captivator Gooseberry is a European-American hybrid that produces very sweet, 1 inch, teardrop-shaped, red berries in large clusters that can be used in jellies, jams and juice on semi-thornless canes.

Height: 4'   and usually Spread: 4'

Growing Zone: 3

Growth Habit: Mounding

Cross Pollinator: Self fertile

Fruit Color: Red

Taste & Texture: Sweet, tangy outer skin

Ripening Period: Late July

Fruit Size: 1"

Uses: Preserves, pies

Garden Tip: Remove one third of the canes to the ground each spring to promote growth and more fruit. Your gooseberry should fruit 1 year after planting.

Twice the production of other green gooseberries with a sweet, mild tart taste.This plant bears abundant crops of large berries that are delicious fresh or in pies or preserves. Mildew-resistant and cold-hardy. Ripens in July. Self-pollinating. Prefer a sandy loam. Well drained soil in a partial shade or full sun like all the Ribes.

Enjoy easy harvests from nearly thorn-free plants. Irresistible in jellies and pies. Fruit is ripe when color changes from spring green to blush pink. Carefree plants. Cold hardy. Ripens in July. Self-pollinating.

Note

Best grown in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained clay or silt loams in full sun to part shade. Prefers full sun, but some part afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Gooseberries generally do not perform well in the hot and humid climates south of USDA Zone 6. Plants are best sited in locations protected from strong winds and frost pockets. Plant bare root bushes in October or November. Apply a good compost mulch to the root zone. Water regularly as needed to keep soils uniformly moist. Avoid overhead watering however. Plants are self-fertile. Renewal prune in late winter to early spring each year. Younger branches produce the most fruit, so older, weakened and/or damaged branches should be removed to open up the bush and promote more abundant fruiting. Easier to prune than some other gooseberries because it is almost thornless.

Flowers give way to oval-rounded gooseberies that ripen in late season (august in Eastern Canada). Lobed, medium green leaves are aromatic when crushed. Gooseberries may be eaten ripe off the shrub or used to make jams, jellies and pies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. In wet, humid conditions, anthracnose, powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot can be troublesome. Aphids, scale and bud mite are potential insect pests in some areas. Gooseberries are an alternate host for white pine blister rust, a usually fatal disease for white pines. ‘Poorman’ is resistant to white pine blister rust and mildew.

Culture

Best grown in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained clay or silt loams in full sun to part shade. Prefers full sun, but some part afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Gooseberries generally do not perform well in the hot and humid climates south of USDA Zone 6. Plants are best sited in locations protected from strong winds and frost pockets. Plant bare root bushes in October or November. Apply a good compost mulch to the root zone. Water regularly as needed to keep soils uniformly moist. Avoid overhead watering however. Plants are self-fertile. Renewal prune in late winter to early spring each year. Younger branches produce the most fruit, so older, weakened and/or damaged branches should be removed to open up the bush and promote more abundant fruiting. Easier to prune than some other gooseberries because it is almost thornless.

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Poorman’ is a red gooseberry cultivar. It is a compact, mounding, deciduous shrub that typically grows 3-4’ tall. This is an old American variety (introduced in 1888) that produces medium sized fruit. Clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom in spring, but are not particularly ornamental. Flowers give way to oval-rounded gooseberies that ripen in late season (august in Eastern Canada). Lobed, medium green leaves are aromatic when crushed. Gooseberries may be eaten ripe off the shrub or used to make jams, jellies and pies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. In wet, humid conditions, anthracnose, powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot can be troublesome. Aphids, scale and bud mite are potential insect pests in some areas. Gooseberries are an alternate host for white pine blister rust, a usually fatal disease for white pines. ‘Poorman’ is resistant to white pine blister rust and mildew.

This variety was developed by Ottawa. The plant has few thorns, is very vigorous and productive. Fruit is reddish and of average size. Average sensitivity to powdery mildew (oidium)

A mid-season gooseberry plant, moderately thorny and very productive. Its fruit is light red and very delicious. The plants are vigorous and resistant to disease.

Red, medium-sized fruit, early July.

Hardiness zone : 3

Height at maturity: 1.2m
Width at maturity: 1.2m

The Jahns Prairie gooseberry produces delicious large, rounded, dark red berries. Mid-season variety that is very resistant to diseases, pest insects, and frost. Thorny variety. The berries make perfect desserts.

Height : 1.5 metres

Width : 1.5 metres

Rusticity zone : 3

Fruit description : Large, dark red berries

This shrub grows to 1.5 m high with medium green leaves. It is hardy, highly productive, and bears sweet acidulous, tasty berries that go from light green to pinkish-red in july. These can be eaten fresh or made into jellies. The plant prefers full sun or light shade in a zone 3 environment. The red variety is more acidulous than the white, and is therefore more likely to be used in recipes like jellies, jams, pastries, and syrups.

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Zone 3a

Wonderful large tasting berry which is a cross between a black currant and a gooseberry. Plants have foliage of the currant and are thornless. Dark purple berries with clear flesh are great for jams, jellies or juices. High in vitamin C. Mildew resistant.

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Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers cool summer climates. Some part afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates. Best sited in locations protected from strong winter winds and frost pockets. Appreciates a good organic mulch for the root zone. Water regularly as needed to keep soils uniformly moist. Avoid overhead watering however. Plants are self-fertile. Often sold as bare root plants by nurseries. Space 3' apart. Prune as needed during the dormant season. It is generally recommended that stems older than 3 years on red currants be removed. May take 4-5 years for plants to become well-established and reach full fruit-bearing potential.

Characteristics

'Red Lake' is a red currant cultivar which is grown primarily for fruit production. It is a compact, mounding, deciduous shrub which grows 3-5' tall. Clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom in spring, and are noticeable but not particularly ornamental. Flowers give way to long, pendant clusters of bright red currants which ripen in July. Medium green leaves are 3-5 lobed, and are aromatic when crushed. Red currants, although tart, may be eaten ripe off the shrub, but are perhaps more often harvested to make jams, jellies and pies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. In wet, humid conditions, anthracnose, powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot can be troublesome. Currant aphid, scale, currant bud mite and currant fruit fly are potential insect pests in some areas. Although much less so than with black currants (Ribes nigrum), red currants can be an alternate host for white pine blister rust, a usually fatal disease for white pines.

Very easy to grow and highly disease resistant, these bushes are super productive of pleasant sweet-tart fruits that make classic jellies, juices, wine and other cooked desserts. The red fruits hang on the bush for a long time for long season fresh eating and high ornamental value. We like to add them to our cranberry sauce(along with some finely chopped quince). High in vitamin C and other healthy compounds. They grow about 5 feet tall and wide and are self fertile. Hardy zones 4-8.

Shrub 3 to 4 feet (90 - 120 cm) in height. Good hardiness, fruit arrive in mid-July with a very good production of small clusters of clear red berries. The fruit can be frozen or even use in your homemade jams.  Rich in antioxidants

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Compact shrub 3-5 feet (90 - 150 cm) in height. Good hardiness, mid-July harvest, very good production of pink champagne coloured fruit
Less tart  than red currants  but also rich in antioxidants. The fruit can be frozen or even use in your homemade recipes.