Thimbleberry vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Thimbleberry vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Rubus parviflorus

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Thimbleberry
Sebastien Gooseberry

Thimbleberry is an ornamental shrub with large, green maple-like-leaves. Flowers are attractive, fragrant, and turn into red-raspberry-like berries. The berries are good for jams, cakes, breads, muffins etc. If you remove the berry, the core resembles a thimble, giving this shrub its namesake.

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.

Thimbleberry Quick Facts

Sebastien Gooseberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: gold
Berries: edible, red, similar to raspberries
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Harvest: late July to September
Flowers: white, showy
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: low




Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans
Other Names: thimbleberry, western thimbleberry