Ribes uva-crispa ‘Little Ben’A compact, bushy deciduous shrub with stiff, thorny stems. Small, yellow-green flowers in spring are followed by plentiful, large fruit that ripens to red in mid summer. This variety will start to producing fruit the second year, a mature plant will produce 8-9 pounds. A compact, dwarf selection of 'Hinnonmaki Red' also boasting mildew resistance. Self-Pollinating. Height 2-3'.
Gooseberries prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic and rich in organic material. For larger, sweeter fruit, do an initial harvest of some of the fruit while it is under ripe; this can be used in baked goods, jams, and pies with a little extra sweetener added. The remaining fruit will receive more energy from the plant and become more plump and sweet.
- USDA Hardiness Zone(s): 3-7
- Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Spacing: 3'
- Fruiting Time(s): Late Summer