European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)

[Durgan]

European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)

http://cuixu.notlong.com/ 14 June 2008 European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)

European gooseberries are slightly larger,in diameter, than the American gooseberry berries. The American species is also thought to have an inferior flavor, with some validity, judging by my limited exposure. The berry size is 1.5 cm at this stage of growth.

When visiting a friend,we were talking in his garden, and he offered me a gooseberry, which was large and had a wonderful flavour. I was astonished because I had a goosebery bush, and there was no comparison to mine in size and flavour. I asked for root piece to put in my garden in 2007. He gave me the whole bush, but it was very dry and I had to cut off a lot of root. I planted it carefully, and pruned it in the Winter, since it was sadly neglected. This year it is heavily laden with large fruit. I am looking forward with some anticipation in comparing it to my older American Goosseberry, which are a separated by a distance of a few feet.