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Fruit EdibleShrubs

Ribes uva-crispa 'Greenfinch' (C)

gooseberry 'Greenfinch'

A compact bush which produces green fruits and that has some resistance to mildew and leaf spot. It crops mid season and is similar to 'Careless'. A good culinary variety

Synonyms
Ribes uva-crispa var. reclinatum 'Greenfinch'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Grossulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Ribes can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small tubular or bell-shaped, solitary or racemose flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow gooseberries in a moist but well-drained soil that has been improved with organic matter. Mildly alkaline (chalky) soils are tolerated. They can be grown as goblet-shaped bushes or cordons. Water well as fruits swell and keep the base of the plants weed and grass-free. Further gooseberry cultivation advice

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Prune gooseberries in winter and summer

Pests

May be susceptible to gooseberry sawfly, capsid bug, birds, squirrels and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to American gooseberry mildew and gooseberry leaf spot

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