Red Jacket gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa 'Red Jacket'
Red Jacket gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa 'Red Jacket') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Large dessert-quality red gooseberries; thorny, wear gloves to harvest.
Plant Select®medium water3–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Ribes uva-crispa 'Red Jacket'
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Red Jacket'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 3–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Things to know before you plant
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Regular water for fruit set; mulch keeps roots cool.
- Pruning: moderate.
- Fruit: edible.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Red Jacket gooseberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Red Jacket gooseberry is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Red Jacket gooseberry?
- The main things to know: It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- How big does Red Jacket gooseberry get?
- It matures to about 3–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Red Jacket gooseberry?
- Space Red Jacket gooseberry about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Red Jacket gooseberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Red Jacket gooseberry is hardy in USDA 2–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Red Jacket gooseberry need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Red Jacket gooseberry grow?
- Red Jacket gooseberry is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Red Jacket gooseberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Red Jacket gooseberry deer-resistant?
- Red Jacket gooseberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
