Gooseberry - Hinnomaki Red

The Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry, Ribes 'Hinnomaki Red', has an outstanding flavor. Its outer skin is tangy while the flesh is sweet. This gooseberry is very productive with dark red medium sized fruit on upright plants. It is a rounded, deciduous, fruit bearing shrub with green, shallow lobed leaves in summer that turn red in autumn, with white flowers in spring. It is very adaptable with good mildew resistance. Hinnomaki begins fruiting in the planting year, a great feature for home gardeners. The fruit is perfect for bottling and preserves, but if left to ripen fully can be used as a dessert gooseberry. They tolerate partial shade and prefer a cool, moist growing area. Northern slopes with protection from direct sun are ideal. Planting along the side of a building or shady arbor is suitable as well. Avoid sites with poor air circulation, which increases the incidence of powdery mildew. Rich, well drained soils that have a high moisture holding capacity are best. Incorporate organic matter (compost, peat, or manure) to improve the soil, particularly if it is somewhat sandy. Make sure the plant is watered in dry weather and net the bushes to protect the fruit from birds. In the first year, prune shoots back by half to three-quarters to an outward-facing bud in winter. After that prune out weak and older branches only. ... more