Currants & Gooseberries

Currant

Currants and gooseberries are very similar in their growth habit, uses, and conditions. They are great for making jams, jellies, pies, or eating fresh.

Below are some things to consider when planting currants or gooseberries in your yard. Also, you will find descriptions of currants and gooseberries that we carry each year.

Where to Plant Currants & Gooseberries

Currants and gooseberries can be planted in full sun, but will prefer some shade in very hot areas. So if you are in American Canyon, Vallejo, Benicia, or Crockett you can plant them in full sun. In areas like Vacaville and Napa, you may want to give them a little protection from the hottest part of the day. Plants are generally self-fruitful so only one is needed for fruit production. They generally grow 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

When to Plant Currants & Gooseberries

Currants and Gooseberries are generally available during the winter months as bareroot plants (late November to early February). There is limited availability during the other times of the year.

Things to Consider

Pruning is usually done in the dormant season. For red currants, white currants, and gooseberries it is recommended to cut stems older than 3 years old to the ground. For black currants it is recommended to cut stems older than 2 years to the ground. Older canes are usually darker and may be peeling. It is also a good idea to mulch around the currants and gooseberries every year.

Below are descriptions of some of the currants & gooseberries.

Currants

Cherry Currant

Cherry Red Currant
Developed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Large, dark red fruit with acid flavor. Fruit is high quality and excellent for jams, jelly, and sauces. Plants will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 5 feet wide. Commonly grown commercially but can also be used as edible ornamentals or hedges. Bears fruit well but attracts aphids. Resistant to powdery mildew. Hardiest and best yielding currant.

Crandall Black Currant
Clusters of large black currants with sweet tart flavor that are excellent for jams, juice, and syrup. Crandall Black Currants have five times the vitamin C of oranges. Bush is upright, dark green leaves, very productive. Ripens in mid July.

White Imperial Currant
Loose clusters of beautiful, white, translucent fruit with pink blush that varies in size from medium to large. Seeds show through the flesh and skin, looking somewhat brownish in color. Richest and sweetest flavor of all currants. Similar to red currants in size and hardiness. Ripens in mid-July.

Wilder Red Currant
Originated in Indiana. Large clusters of dark red, medium sized berries. Fruit is of a very good quality. Heavy bearing, vigorous, tall stemmed plant will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to5 feet wide. Wilder is a good variety for market or home use. Wilder has a long fruit bearing season, from July 1st to the 20th.

Gooseberries

Oregon Champ

Oregon Champion
Originated in Salem, Oregon before 1880. Medium to large, yellowish green berries. Flavor will sweeten as it ripens. Oregon Champion is excellent for pies, jams, canning, and wine. Productive, vigorous plant will grow 3 to 5 feet tall. Berries hold well on the bush. Oregon Champion will start bearing fruit the second year and produce for approximately 20 years. Mildew resistant.

Pixwell
Originated in North Dakota in 1932. Medium sized, oval shaped fruit. Pale green color becoming pink when fully ripe. The fruit is borne in clusters on long pedicals, making picking easier, hence its name. It has few thorns but are stout and aggressive. Pixwell is too tart for fresh eating, but makes wonderful pies, jams, and preserves. Leaves turn purple in the fall. This variety is mildew resistant. Overall height is 4 to 6 feet tall. Very productive plants.

Welcome
Sweet, large, pinkish red berries when ripe. Great flavor.Less thorns than most gooseberries -- easy to pick.Eat fresh right off the bush or freeze for later use. Great in pies, and jams.