Gooseberry Captivator (Ribes uva-crispa) Fruit Bush 3ltr Pot

About Gooseberry Captivator

This tall virtually spine-free red gooseberry originated in Canada so is therefore very hardy. It is a good cropper of large, tear-shaped fruit. The fruit quality is exceptional and the berries are a deep reddish-pink and juicy sweet, making them ideal to be eaten straight from the bush. Captivator has shallow lobed leaves that turn red in autumn. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. An ideal variety for all purposes.

• Self fertile
• Planting Distance 1.5m apart
• Height & Spread 3m x 3m
• Crops Late July

The plump, grape like gooseberry is a popular feature of the British countryside. Captivator is a canadian mid season variety that fruits from late July on. The zingy red fruit are teardrop shaped and have a slight sweetness to it that is undercut by a tartness. These robust and hardy bushes will grow great in your garden where the juicy, red berries add some interesting texture and colour to the space. Because of its slightly tart flavour, this is a wonderful fruit to use in cakes and sweet pies. If you want a simpler way to eat this fruit, then serve it with some chutneys and cheese for a fantastic ploughman's style lunch.

How to look after gooseberries

Plant your gooseberry bush in a well-draining soil that receives a good amount of light throughout the day. Give the plant 1.5m to grow in every direction, and water regularly in the first few weeks, and then only until the soil is wet, but not moist. This bush is hardy and resistant to mildew, a common disease found in other gooseberry varieties. Prune browning leaves regularly and cut back any dead foliage in the winter.

When to harvest gooseberries?

Gooseberries will be ready to pick between June and July. They are fully type when they are soft to the touch. To pick the berry, gently pull it from the stem, if you are too rough then you may damage the fruit.