Black Gooseberry : Ribes divaricatum

Plant type: deciduous, perennial, large shrub
Height: 5 - 12'

Light: full to part sun
Soil: moist 

PPL: YES

Welcome jellyfish earring lovers! Unique flower turns to delicious sour fruit, candies. Hardy shrub with lush foliage but a serious thorn at the base of each leaf. WORTH IT for the yums, and also of course the hummingbirds, butterflies, bees. (Caterpillar host plant to ~85 species!)

Due to height and thornage, a great barrier plant for hedges to keeping out deer, humans and other generally unwanteds.

Aka: wild/spreading/coastal/straggly gooseberry



Photos: Nadiatalent, Walter Siegmund, Christian Hummert