Goji Berry vs Bristly Black Currant - TreeTime.ca

Goji Berry vs Bristly Black Currant

Ribes lacustre

Lycium barbarum

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Bristly Black Currant
Goji Berry

Bristly Black Currant is a native deciduous shrub that grows in moist forests, swamps, and riparian areas. In summer, it produces clusters of dark purple to black berries that provide food for wildlife, while its reddish-purple flowers attract pollinators. The berries are technically edible and enjoyed by some, but many find them unpleasant and bitter.

Thriving in moist soils and shaded locations, Bristly Black Currant helps stabilize soil and supports diverse habitats. It is valuable for conservation plantings, wetland restoration, riparian buffers, and naturalization projects.

Note: When crushed, the berries are known to release an offensive odour.

Goji Berry is a woody, deciduous perennial known for its hearty, bright orange-red berries. It typically produces light lavender flowers from June through September, with fruit maturation taking place between August and October.

Goji Berry berries are delicious, nutrient rich, high in antioxidants, and are often called a super fruit. Many describe their flavour as being like a tart cherry tomato.

Bristly Black Currant Quick Facts

Goji Berry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to spreading, thicket-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: prickles may cause an allergic reaction

Bark: reddish brown with prickles
Flowers: small maroon-green clusters
Flowers: lavender or purple
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Berries: dark purple with hairs, edible
Berries: small orange-red berries (1-2 cm) that are considered a "superfood". Berries ripen between July and October
Flavor: tart, unpleasant
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: black gooseberry, black swamp gooseberry, bristly black gooseberry, bristly currant, bristly swamp currant, prickly currant
Other Names: goji, wolfberry