Description of the best varieties of gooseberries, 50 of the largest and sweetest species
To determine which variety of gooseberries to plant in your summer cottage, it is important to study the characteristics of the shrubs. Decide what you want to get as a result: a bushless bush with large berries, or maybe you will be interested in gooseberries with sweet fruit pulp. But it is mainly important to take into account the region of growth, the severity of the winter season or other climatic features.
Content
- 1 Popular gooseberry varieties
- 2 Classification of varieties by maturity
- 3 Large-fruited varieties
- 4 Freeze-resistant gooseberry varieties
- 5 The best studless gooseberry varieties
- 6 The sweetest varieties
- 7 Classification of varieties by color of berries
- 8 Tips for choosing a variety for different regions of Russia
Popular gooseberry varieties
The types of gooseberries differ among themselves: they are characterized by different ripening periods, the size of the fruit and color. Some of them are allowed to be grown in all regions, some exclusively in southern climates. There are plants cultivated in the northern regions.
Bright
Shrub of medium spreading and vigor, dense. Spikes are common along the entire branch. Berries of medium size, up to 5.5 g, pinkish, gray-gray, slightly shaggy, sour-sweet, rounded. Winter-hardy, productive shrub.
Baltic
Compact spherical shrub, medium height. The branches are extremely spiky, containing smallish berries, up to 4 g in weight, greenish-light shade. It is characterized by a sour, pleasant aftertaste. A plant with increased resistance to anthracnose is recognized as winter hardy.
Tender
Late variety, thornless, medium-sized shrub. The berries have a greenish color, sweet pulp with a pleasant aroma. Gooseberry weight 5 g. It is characterized by yield up to 5.8 kg per bush, high resistance to frost.
Affectionate
Berries with an average weight of 6.5 grams, with a rounded, even oval, shape, saturated red tone, covered with a shaggy bloom. Fruits with tasty pulp, with a peach aroma. A medium-sized shrub with weakly spiked shoots. Brings up to 7.5 kg annually.A highly winter-resistant plant that is resistant to powdery mildew.
Freedonia
Plant is thornless, medium-sized. The fruit tastes like a mixture of strawberries and pineapple. Fruit color is red. It is characterized by immunity to powdery mildew.
Wine
The plant forms a sweet fruit, but requires timely harvesting, otherwise the fruits will turn sour. Hence the name. Overripe berries have the smell of alcohol. Rapid decay begins.
Lada
It is among the species that have good immune protection against common fungal infections. Late maturation. Shrubs of medium size with a wide crown. Fruits of pleasant sweetness, large, weighing from 5 to 8 g, increased productivity.
Royal
The gooseberry lives up to its name: the fruits are large, sweet, with a light green color. It is characterized by increased productivity. The branches contain infrequent thorns. Medium spreading plant.
Coral
The bush is of an early ripening period, vigorous, not spreading, branches are strongly spiked, with small fruits (up to 4.5 g). But they are with a sweet and juicy flesh of a green tone with a yellow tint, a little shaggy.
Peach
A medium-sized, medium-spreading winter-hardy shrub with large, amber-colored fruits that have a pleasant sweet-sour taste, stay on the stalks for a long time without falling apart.
Phoenix
Shrub of medium ripening period, with medium resistance to frost. Productivity - up to 4.6 kg per bush. Semi-sprawling shrub of medium height, demanding care. Fruits are oval-rounded, average weight up to 10 g.
Cardinal
The Commander is called in another way. The bush is of medium height and has no thorns. The berry is round, dark red, medium-sized (up to 7 g), has a thin skin. It is classified as a non-transportable variety.
Michurinets
Medium ripening period. The shrub is medium-sized and medium-spreading. The branches are thick, curved, the thorns are numerous. Fruits are medium-sized, pear-like, dark reddish in color, with a rich waxy edge. The taste is sweet and sour. Average productivity - 5.3 kg.
Muscat
Medium-sized gooseberries, up to 6.8 g, are characterized by a red tint, oval. The pulp is sweetish, tender, with a sugary aroma. Medium ripening plant. Productivity ranges from 8.5 kg to 10.5 kg. Winter-hardy shrub that is immune to powdery mildew.
Classification of varieties by maturity
Gooseberries are classified according to their ripening times. Between early and late, a period of two months. It is recommended to plant shrubs with different periods, then within several months it will be possible to collect fruits.
Early
These varieties ripen in the middle of June. These include: Orlyonok, Yarovoy, Rodnik, Salut, Pink 2, Russian, Finnish.
Average ripeness
These include: Kolobok, Pink-2, Hinnomaki Gelb, Pax, White Triumph, Krasnoslavyansky, Moscow Red, Prune.
Late
Shrubs of these varieties ripen in the second half of August. These include: Russian, Malachite, Sadko, Smena, Date, Northern Captain, Serenada, Chernomor.
Large-fruited varieties
These species produce the largest gooseberries. The fruits, besides being spectacular on the bush, also have excellent taste characteristics.
Defender
Tall gooseberry, giving strong shoots, straight crown. Berries are oval, slightly pear-shaped, have a burgundy color, more close to black. The fruit is large, its weight reaches 10 g. According to the taste parameters it is characterized as sweet and sour. It is numbered among the honeycombs of late ripening, perfectly tolerates severe winters, is not prone to damage by powdery mildew.
Leningrader
The shrub is low, characterized by a wide crown, spikes are not numerous.The berry is large, the mass reaches 10 g. It is similar in shape to an inverted egg, with a dark red tint. The taste is sweet, with a pleasant sourness. Up to 7.5 kg of berries are harvested from the plant with a medium-late ripening period. The shrub is resistant to severe frosts, has an average level of protection against powdery mildew disease.
Spring
A relatively young variety of the early ripening period. A shrub of medium height with a neat crown. The berries are medium-sized, from 5.5 to 7 g, with proper care they grow up to 8 g. The shape is round, the color is green with a yellow tone, a little dull. The fruit is tasty, sweetish, without sourness. The juicy pulp contains few seeds. Suitable for fresh consumption or for processing. It is resistant to fungal diseases, severe frosts. It is characterized by good yields even in unsuitable climatic conditions. In southern areas it gives up to 8.5 kg per bush.
Freeze-resistant gooseberry varieties
This indicator is important when making plant selection. The development of the shrub, its yield and taste characteristics of the fruits depend on the growing conditions.
Krasnoslavyansky
The shrub is characterized by a low height, slight spreading, the crown is relatively thin, the branches contain thorns. The berries are large, with an average weight of 9 g, with a round shape. The color is bright, deep red. There is no edge on the skin. Gooseberry has a dessert flavor. After planting, it bears fruit in the 2nd season. At the height of cultivation, the productivity is 7.2 kg. Frost-resistant species, resistant to powdery mildew.
Consul
Another name is Senator. The shrub is classified as a low plant with a dense, branched crown; spines are partially absent on the shoots. Fruits are medium-large, their weight can reach 6 g, the color range ranges from light to maroon, closer to black. The skin of the berries is thin, therefore, the harvested crop does not tolerate transportation.
There are few seeds in the pulp, which makes the fruit an excellent jam. The plant will calmly tolerate a drop in temperature to -36 aboutC, obtained for cultivation in frosty regions. In the first seasons of cultivation, it is characterized by low productivity, up to 3 kg, but with each season this figure grows three times.
Beryl
The plant is of medium height with little spreading. Spines are formed at the bottom of the shoots. Fruit weight reaches 8.6 g, have a spherical appearance, light green color. The flavor of berries is sweet, highly appreciated by professionals. The shrub produces up to 9.3 kg of fruits, is characterized by the ability to withstand frost down to -36 aboutFROM.
The plant is considered resistant to fruit rot. The variety has gained popularity due to its stable yield for almost 40 years.
Ural emerald
It is characterized by medium height and few spines. There is no edge on the berries, the average weight is up to 8.2 g. The name corresponds to the color of the berries, which have a dessert flavor and a wonderful aroma, with a juicy, dense pulp. The first harvest is done in the third year of cultivation. High-yielding species, yields up to 8.7 kg. Mid-early ripening period. Increased frost resistance, is able to withstand temperatures down to -37 aboutFROM.
Belorussian
A bush with a small crown, the branches contain many sharp thorns. The fruits are characterized by a spherical appearance, weighing up to 8.2 g, with a bright greenish color, the most delicate, juicy pulp. They have a sweet taste, with a thin skin. Shrub of the old selection with increased frost resistance (up to -39 aboutFROM). Medium ripening period. Life expectancy - up to 18 years, then it needs rejuvenation. Productivity - 8 kg.
The best studless gooseberry varieties
There is a large selection of thornless gooseberries, which are characterized by good productivity, excellent taste.With the existing opinion that the berries of the spiked gooseberry are more tasty, most gardeners prefer these particular varieties. The presence or absence of thorns does not affect the taste of the fruit. The disadvantage of thornless varieties is that they are less resistant to frost. But they have good protective indicators against diseases.
Thornless gooseberry
Strong, vigorous bush, with a narrow crown, shoots are directed mainly upward. The average weight of the fruit is 5.3 g, drop-shaped, with a pale red color tone. Taste range from sweet to slightly sour.
Northern captain
The leading variety among studless ones. Numbered among tall shrubs, branches are directed upward. Berries are darkish, almost black in color, weight up to 4.3 g, with a delicate taste and slight sourness. It is classified as a mid-season gooseberry species. High yielding, produces up to 12 kg with proper care. Resistant to frost, resistant to common fungal infections.
African
The gooseberry is of medium height, no thorns are formed on the shoots. Fruits are medium-sized, rounded, purple in color with a dark tone. Taste characteristic: sour-sweet, slightly similar to black currant. The plant begins to bear fruit in the third year after planting, is characterized by excellent resistance to temperature drops, resistant to common diseases, but susceptible to anthracnose.
Eaglet
It grows to medium height, has a neat crown. The absence of thorns made this species the leading one. The average weight of gooseberries is 5.5 g, the shade is almost black. There is a slight waxy coating on the skin, the pulp has a pleasant sour-sweet flavor. It ripens in the early periods, bears fruit effectively, resistant to severe temperature conditions.
Strawberry
The shrub reaches a medium height, with a slight spreading. The branches are not thick, slightly curved, spiked. Fruit weight ranges from 2.7 g to 5.6 g, rounded, light greenish, with pink spots and a thin skin. The taste is sweet, with a hint of strawberry.
Kursu Dzintars
A variety of early ripening, extremely frost-resistant, productive. The bush is medium-high, compact. Slightly spiked branches, with smallish fruits, weighing up to 2.6 g, yellow in color with an amber tone, delicate skin, pleasant sweetish aftertaste.
Altai license plate
Medium early ripening plant. The bush is low, not spreading, with single thorns, winter-hardy. Gooseberries up to 8.3 g in weight, yellow-fruited variety, with an amber tone, sweetish, with a sugary aroma.
Grossular
A promising gooseberry, resistant to a lack of moisture and winter-hardy, resistance to powdery mildew is noted. An extremely vigorous bush, with a slight spreading, without thorns. Productivity - 5.3 kg per bush. Fruit weight ranges from 4.3 g to 8.2 g, oval in appearance, light green hue. Taste indicator: sweet and sour aftertaste.
The sweetest varieties
What varieties of gooseberries produce the largest and sweetest fruits? A similar question is asked when choosing a variety that has excellent taste parameters and relatively large berries. A description of such varieties is presented below.
Belarusian sugar
The size of the fruits ranges from 4.1 to 8.3 g. Fruits are greenish-whitish in color, round-oval in appearance with a delicate flavor. Mid-early ripening period, with increased winter hardiness. The plant is tall.
Cooperator
This species reaches medium height, with a non-spreading, non-branched crown, with a small number of thorns. On average, the berry reaches a mass of 7.3 g, has a dark red color. These berries are classified as dessert, rather sweetish. It turns out to collect from each plant up to 5.6 kg, characterized by an average late ripening period.Another advantage of the species is its resistance to severe temperature conditions and fruit rot.
Seedling Lefort
Early ripening period. Flowering is gaining strength in late spring. Excellent frost resistance. Productivity up to 8.2 kg. Fruits weighing up to 4.4 g, green, with a reddish blush, have a dessert aftertaste, sugary aroma. The bush is medium spreading, powerful, the branches are medium spined.
Candy
The plant has a late ripening period, medium height, dense. The shoots are medium, spiky. The berry weight ranges from 3.3 to 6.7 g, pink with a slight edge. There are few seeds, the pulp is sweet, but with sourness.
Pink 2
It is classified as a medium-ripening variety, extremely resistant to severe frosts. Productivity reaches 7.2 kg. Large-fruited, up to 10 g in weight, sweet taste and pink hue. The shrub is self-fertile, semi-spreading, with some spine.
White Nights
The variety is ranked among plants with an average ripening period. A short, compact bush, rather thorny. The berries are smallish, weighing 2.7 g, some reach up to 4.2 g. They have a greenish-yellow color, with a delicate pulp of a sweet taste. The skin is of medium thickness. Productivity - up to 6.8 kg. It is characterized by protection against powdery mildew.
Classification of varieties by color of berries
Some gardeners, when selecting varieties, prefer certain fruit colors, some try to plant shrubs with different shades of berries.
Chokeberry cultures
The fruits of these types of gooseberries are similar to large black currants. They have a special flavor and sophisticated aroma. The most popular: Eaglet, Black Negus, Kuibyshevsky, Chernomor, Defender.
Red varieties
Gooseberries with red berries are extremely popular among gardeners, the leading varieties include: Kolobok, Date, Krasnoslavyansky, Consul, Leningrad giant, Michurinets, Muscat, Phoenix, Fridonia.
Green-fruited varieties
Novice summer residents are sure: green gooseberries are with sour berries, and red ones with sweet ones. This opinion is wrong. Greenish berries have a wide palette of flavors, depending on the specific species. They include: Emerald, Malachite, Invicta, Royal, Belarusian, Ural emerald, Beryl, Tender.
Yellow-fruited
These fruits look unusual, shimmering in the sun. They are generally quite sweet. These include: Russian yellow, Medovy, Yantarny, Yarovoy, Coral and others.
Tips for choosing a variety for different regions of Russia
The correct selection of the variety is of great importance, the growth rate is taken into account, otherwise the shrub will die, it will hurt and will not give the expected result. The selection takes into account: ripening period, resistance to temperature extremes and frost resistance.
Moscow region and central strip
The Moscow region is characterized by special weather indicators, since the winter is quite long here. Suitable for cultivation are varieties that are frost-resistant, adaptable to harsh conditions, able to withstand winds and have a strong root system.
Grushenka
The plant is of medium height, with visually drooping branches, with practically no thorns. The fruits are small in size, the average weight is 5.4 g, similar to a pear, the color changes as the crop matures (from pale burgundy to juicy purple). Protects against common diseases.
Russian yellow
Belongs to the old varietal category, grown since the late 50s. A low shrub with a slight spreading, strewn with thorns. Forms pear-shaped fruits, yellowish color, weight index - up to 6.2 g. The presence of a delicate wax coating is visualized. The variety is characterized by persistent tolerance to sudden changes in temperature conditions, not long drought. The average productivity is 5-6.5 kg.Gives juicy berries with an excellent presentation. Gooseberries are considered unpretentious, undemanding to soil fertility.
Gingerbread man
The species is classified as medium-sized. The large fruit reaches a mass of up to 7.5 g. The type of berries is slightly elongated, the color is pale red. Taste indicators: sweetness with a slight sourness. It is resistant to anthracnose and powdery mildew. It is characterized by a period of medium ripening. Calmly tolerates temperature fluctuations, moisture and dry periods.
Not taking into account the unfavorable conditions of cultivation, it has good productivity.
Amber
A tall variety of shrubs, reaching 1.6 meters, spreading, a large number of thorns are observed on the branches. But this minus is compensated by delicious, beautiful, yellowish-orange fruits of an oblong appearance, weighing up to 5.7 g. It has an early ripening period, is characterized by increased productivity.
For the regions of Siberia
The best varieties for this area were bred by special institutes and experimental stations. Some of them are the best varieties of Soviet selection. Plants are characterized by increased winter hardiness, resistance to the widespread disease of anthracnose. Have an early fruiting period. The fruits are usually small. Varieties suitable for the area: Grossular, Beryl, Chelyabinsk beshipny, Legin, Kooperator, Senator, Laskovy Spring, Ural pink, Ural emerald.
For the Urals
The selection of varieties is carried out taking into account the climatic indicators of the region. Not sprawling shrubs are selected, with a powerful root system, undemanding to care, perfectly tolerating temperature changes, without thorns. They are hardy and give an early harvest. The most common: Russian yellow, African, Senator, Amber, Cardinal.
There are many varieties of varieties, which allows you to choose the desired plant, taking into account climatic characteristics and personal preferences.