Balsors Blackberry vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Balsors Blackberry vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Rubus fruticosus Balsors

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

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Balsors Blackberry
Sebastien Gooseberry

The Balsors Blackberry is a cold-hardy variety that produces very large, sweet and juicy blackberries late in the summer. They are great for baking and fresh eating.

Balsors Blackberry are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

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.

Balsors Blackberry 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)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: black
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Fruit size: large
Firmness: soft
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: August
Harvest: late July to September
Bark: has thorns
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: low




Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans
Other Names: balsors hardy blackberry, illinois blackberry