Jostaberry

Ribes x nidigrolaria

BLACK CURRANT-GOOSEBERRY HYBRIDS ARE PROHIBITED TO DE, ME, NC, NJ, WV, VA, MI, MA, OH& RI. Rust resistant varieties may be shipped to OH & MI(With Permit)

A complex cross between European black currant and N. Am. & Euro wild gooseberries, (pronounced yust-a-berry). jostaberries have the vigorous growth habit, the high vitamin C content, and the disease resistance of the black currant. However, the leaves are gooseberry-like and the seedless fruit, until it is ripe, looks like a gooseberry. As it ripens in late June, the oval berry turns almost black. The flavor is sweet like a ripe gooseberry with just a pleasing hint of the stronger currant flavor.

It is early to leaf out each spring, thornless and easy-to-grow; resistant to both powdery mildew and white pine blister rust. It should be pruned like a gooseberry.  Productive in both sun and shade, it will perform better with some afternoon shade in hotter summer areas. USDA Zones 3-8