Golden Currant vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Golden Currant vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Ribes aureum

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Golden Currant
Sebastien Gooseberry

Golden Currant produces berries for jams, jellies, sauces and even pemmican. This currant bush is very dense, allowing for use as a hedge, windbreak, or wildlife habitat.

This plant is also a very popular rootstock to graft popular red and white currant varieties to. The resulting plants are taller, more productive, and easier to harvest.

Sebastien Gooseberry is a nearly thornless variety that produces medium-sized, red gooseberries. When the berries are fully ripe they are quite sweet and great for fresh eating. They can be stored for up to two weeks in the fridge. For baking and preserves, they are often picked when under-ripe when they are firm and tart. The general harvest period is anywhere from July to September.

Sebastien Gooseberry is a Canadian variety that was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Ottawa.

Gooseberries are self-pollinating but planting with another variety will increase yields.

Golden Currant Quick Facts

Sebastien Gooseberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 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
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low


Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans
Fall colour: reddish purple
Flowers: yellow
Berries: glossy black berries
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Harvest: late July to September
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: buffalo currant, clove currant, fragrant golden currant, golden flowering currant, spicebush