American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum)

[Durgan]

American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum)

http://thayu.notlong.com 14 June 2008 American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum)

This American Gooseberry bush was planted in the Spring of 2005. In 2006 after fruiting the foliage was attacked by a fungus (Downey Mildew) which devastated the leaves, but apparently had no lasting harmful effects. Since then when watering I avoid wetting the foliage.

The berries are sweet about 1 cm in diameter with a bit of a tart tang, which is not unpleasant. I mix them with my raspberries and eat as a fruit dish with cream or milk or, sometimes simply put in the blender and make juice with other fruits.