Flowering Raspberry vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Flowering Raspberry vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Rubus odoratus

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Flowering Raspberry
Sebastien Gooseberry

The Flowering Raspberry is an ornamental shrubby plant that blooms with fragrant light purple flowers throughout the summer and has a large, decorative foliage of bright green leaves. The flowers resemble that of a wildrose, and the foliage turns a bright yellow in the fall. This cultivar produces small red raspberries, similar to that of a thimbleberry, but the fruit is mostly tasteless.

The Flowering Raspberry, also known as Virginia Raspberry or Purple-Flowered Raspberry, makes a great hedge plant and is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard.

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.

Flowering Raspberry Quick Facts

Sebastien Gooseberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: red to purple, seedy
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Firmness: firm
Flavor: tasteless
Harvest: late July to September
Flowers: purple
Bark: thornless orange
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: low




Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans
Other Names: purple-flowered raspberry, virginia raspberry