Northern vs Canadian gooseberry plants
Both gooseberries are native to Manitoba and have berries up to about 1/2 inch across. Northern Gooseberry is more upright with very few branch prickles. Canadian Gooseberry stays lower and spreads, with densely prickly branches.
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| Detail | Northern Gooseberry | Canadian Gooseberry |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Ribes hirtellum | Ribes oxyacanthoides |
| Fruit size | Up to 1/2 inch across | Up to 1/2 inch across |
| Spines at leaf joints | Usually one to three, sometimes absent | Several stout spines |
| Prickles along branches | Very few | Dense prickles along the branches |
| Growth habit | More upright | Lower and spreading |
| Native range | Native to Canada, including Manitoba | Native to Canada, including Manitoba |
| Mature size | About 1.5 to 5 ft tall | Up to about 3 ft tall, with a spreading habit |
A closer look
Northern Gooseberry
Northern Gooseberry usually has fewer prickles along its branches, which can make picking and handling easier. It still has spines, and individual bushes vary.
Canadian Gooseberry
Canadian Gooseberry has stout spines and dense prickles along its branches. At the nursery, its berries are similar in size to Northern Gooseberry. Its lower, spreading form and prickly branches make the difference easier to see.