Alpine Currant vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Alpine Currant vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

Ribes alpinum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Sebastien Gooseberry
Alpine Currant

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.

Alpine Currant is a great shrub to plant along sidewalks, near building or at your property boundary as a hedge or accent species. It is widely used by commercial landscapers in parking lots and near buildings because of its hardiness, attractiveness, and pollution tolerance.

While Alpine Currant produces edible berries, they are not palatable.

Sebastien Gooseberry Quick Facts

Alpine Currant Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low

Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans

Foliage: glossy green
Flowers: greenish yellow and fragrant
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Berries: small, bright red
Harvest: late July to September
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: mountain currant