Two native gooseberries and Hinnomaki Red
The two native gooseberries differ noticeably in their thorns. Northern gooseberry has mostly smooth stems, while Canadian gooseberry is much more prickly. Hinnomaki Red is a Finnish fruit cultivar with sweet berries and tart skin.
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View plants →Growing details
| Detail | Northern Gooseberry | Canadian Gooseberry | Hinnomaki Red |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Native Ribes hirtellum | Native Ribes oxyacanthoides | Finnish gooseberry cultivar |
| Fruit colour | Green, finishing purple at the nursery | Green, finishing purple at the nursery | Dark red |
| Thorns | Very few branch prickles, with spines mainly at the nodes | Dense prickles and stout spines | Dense prickles, similar to Canadian Gooseberry |
| Leaf edges | Shallow, rounded teeth | Sharper, coarser teeth | Lobed leaves with rounded to pointed teeth |
| Cold hardiness zone | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Fruit size | Up to about 1/2 inch across | Up to about 1/2 inch across | Slightly larger than the two native species |
| Growth habit | More upright | Lower and spreading | Compact bush |
A closer look
Northern Gooseberry
Northern gooseberry is native in Manitoba and much of Canada. Its relatively smooth stems make it a different plant to handle from the densely prickly Canadian gooseberry. The fruit has a sweet tart flavour.
Canadian Gooseberry
Canadian gooseberry occurs across much of northern and western North America, including Manitoba. The common names overlap, so the botanical name is useful when distinguishing it from Ribes hirtellum.
Hinnomaki Red
Hinnomaki Red has sweet flesh and tart skin. It has resistance to powdery mildew, though it can still be affected by disease. This listing is the cultivar plant, not seed collected from it.