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ShrubsFruit Edible

Ribes uva-crispa 'Leveller' (D)

gooseberry 'Leveller'

Large spreading bush with deeply lobed leaves. Produces good crops of large golden berries with excellent flavour good for dessert and culinary use. Needs good soil to do well. Self fertile.

Synonyms
Ribes uva-crispa var. reclinatum 'Leveller'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green Green Yellow
Autumn Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Grossulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Ribes can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small tubular or bell-shaped, solitary or racemose flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow gooseberries in a moist but well-drained soil that has been improved with organic matter. Mildly alkaline (chalky) soils are tolerated. Fruiting is best in full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade. They can be grown as goblet-shaped bushes or trained forms such as cordons. Water well as fruits swell and keep the base of the plants weed and grass-free. For advice see gooseberry cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Prune gooseberries in winter and summer

Pests

May be susceptible to gooseberry sawfly, birds and squirrels

Diseases

May be susceptible to gooseberry mildew and gooseberry leaf spot

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