Amur Grape vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Amur Grape vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

Vitis amurensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Sebastien Gooseberry
Amur Grape

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.

The Amur Grape is an ornamental grape that fruits dark, sour, juicy grapes later in the fall. It is native to Asia, and found growing wild in Russia and China. It’s one of the most cold-hardy grape varieties, prized for its foliage that turns from a bright green to a deep crimson and purple in the fall. The flowers are small and white, usually appearing in the beginning of May.

The name for the Amur Grape comes from the Amur Valley, located in Russia. It’s extremely resistant to frost. The berries are good for fresh eating, but also make a flavorful addition to any homemade wines and preserves. The leaves are also edible, and are commonly used in salads. This plant does best with a trellis.

Note: We do not ship grape vines to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Sebastien Gooseberry Quick Facts

Amur Grape Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 5 m (18 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Berries: dark purple black blue
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sour juicy
Harvest: late July to September
Harvest: late september
Bark: dark scaly
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: none



Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans