
Jostaberry
- Regular price
- Sold out
- Sale price
- $33.00 Sale
Species: Ribes x nidigrolaria, a cross between Ribes nigrum (black currants), Ribes divaracitum (black gooseberries), and Ribes uva-crispa (European gooseberries)
History: Jostaberries were created in West Germany in 1955 by Dr. Rudolph Bauer, although attempts to cross these three plants had begun as early as 1883 without success. They were eventually released to the public in 1977.
Why We Grow It: Jostaberries are a unique cross between three plants: black currants, black gooseberries, and European gooseberries. The berries taste like gooseberries at first and transition to a black currant taste as they ripen and darken.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 3
Soil Preference: Prefers loam, but adaptable to different soil conditions
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Shrub reaches 1-2m tall, vigorous. Resistant to American gooseberry mildew, blackcurrant leaf spot, white pine blister rust, and big bud gall mite.
Thorns: No
Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun to partial shade, but can tolerate full shade
Pollination: Self-pollinating, this variety will produce fruit without a different variety but will produce more and better fruit if one is present
Flowering Time: Spring
Bloom Colour: Maroon
Ripens: Mid July
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking, baking
Height Above Soil Line: 20-40cm