The renaissance of the gooseberry in the home garden is accompanied by an explosive expansion of the variety of varieties. The following overview presents outstanding breeds that impress with special attributes.
What types of gooseberries are there?
There are different gooseberry varieties such as Green Ball, White Lion, King of Trumps (green classics), Maiherzog, Ironmonger, Rote Triumpf (red flares), Larell, Pax, Spinefree (thornless varieties), Hinnonmäki, Invicta, mucurines (standard stems) and innovative duo gooseberries with two varieties on the bush.
Green classics
They are green-yellow to whitish shimmering and have proven themselves in home gardens for generations. There's really nothing wrong with the following varieties:
- Green ball: smooth, translucent shell, delicately sour taste, height 100 centimeters
- White Lion: ancient variety with round fruits, particularly juicy and sweet, suitable for container cultivation
- King of Trumps: yellow, juicy berries, red marbled, ideal for eating directly from the bush and for freezing
Red flares
With their red fruits, the following varieties not only promise refreshing enjoyment, but also decorate the visual appearance of the garden:
- Maiherzog: old variety from 1890 with thick, red berries, wonderful aroma for fresh consumption and for preserving
- Ironmonger: noble breeding from England with pairs of fruits, very thin skin
- Red Triumph: Rarity with countless small gooseberries, well suited for green picking
Thornless gooseberries
If you grow these gooseberry varieties, even the children diligently help with the harvest. The following varieties do not contain any thorns:
- Larell: smooth, red berries, burst-resistant and very sweet, the ideal gooseberry for balconies and terraces
- Pax: for harvest from the end of June, beautiful red fruits, resistant to American gooseberry mildew
- Spinefree: very robust, light red gooseberries with smooth skin, almost no spines
Ideal candidates for gooseberry standard stems
They are undoubtedly on the rise in small gardens, because gooseberry standard stems still produce a lush harvest when there is little space:
- Hinnonmäki: abundant with red berries, growth height up to 120 centimeters, little hair and burst resistance
- Invicta: vigorous, robust, lots of green gooseberries with a sour, refreshing aroma
- Mucurines: light green fruits, extremely aromatic and resistant to mildew and leaf fall
Innovative breeding
Do you like to plant fruit that is out of the ordinary in your garden? Then you are well advised with the duo gooseberry. Here two varieties come together on a single bush. With 'Hinnonmäki yellow and red' you are assured of prying eyes over the garden fence.
Tips & Tricks
If you prefer keeping your gooseberries in a container, a minimum volume of 30-40 liters is advisable. Since most varieties grow up to 40 centimeters annually, repotting would be necessary very frequently. This stress is not good for the shallow-rooted species.
