Gooseberry, European gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa
Family: Grossulariaceae
What it is like
Ribes uva-crispa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Woods and hedges, often by streams.
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, Italy and the Caucasus.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Czech Republic, East Africa, Estonia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 5
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is often picked when under-ripe and very firm, it has a very tart flavour at this time and is mainly used in making pies, jams etc. However, if the fruit is allowed to remain on the plant until it is fully ripe and soft it becomes quite sweet and is delicious for eating out of hand. The fruit of the wild species is often less than 1cm in diameter, but named cultivars have considerably larger fruits up to 3cm in diameter. Leaves- raw. The young and tender leaves can be eaten in salads. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The fruit is laxative. Stewed unripe gooseberries are used as a spring tonic to cleanse the system. The leaves have been used in the treatment of gravel. An infusion taken before the monthly periods is said to be a useful tonic for growing girls. The leaves contain tannin and have been used as an astringent to treat dysentery and wounds.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Other
Rating: 2
The fruit pulp is used cosmetically in face-masks for its cleansing effect on greasy skins.
Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Growth is often poor in light soils, whilst heavy soils encourage soft growth and excess vigour. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 6.5, though it can grow well in more acid or alkaline soils. It is important to add plenty of humus to chalky soil. Plants are quite tolerant of shade though do not fruit so well in such a position. They can be grown against east or north facing walls. The fruit of plants on north facing walls will ripen later, thus extending the fruiting season, though yields will be lower. Plants dislike very hot weather. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c, but the flowers and young fruits are susceptible to frost damage Plants are very susceptible to potash deficiency, especially when grown on alkaline soils. Gooseberries are commonly cultivated in temperate regions for their edible fruit, there are many named varieties. Birds love the fruit and so some protection is often required, especially if the fruit is being grown to full ripeness. Plants grow best in cool moist climates such as N. Europe. Plants fruit best on one and two year old wood so any pruning should be to encourage vigorous new shoots. Plants can harbour a stage of white pine blister rust, so should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 2. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at between 0 and 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; North Wall. By. East Wall. By.
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The fresh leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide, though details of quantities are not given. This substance is found in several foods, including almonds. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Its other names
Local names
American gooseberry, Cu li, Egres, Fuge, Gigadze, Groseille a maquareau, Groseillier, Grosella blanca, Grosellero, Kikerberi, Kryhovnik, Maru suguri, Stachelbeere, Uva spina,