Gooseberry (Ribes 'Pixwell')
Ribes 'Pixwell' is a productive Gooseberry cultivar, ideal for Zones 4-6, offering edible fruit with medium maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Ribes ‘Pixwell’ is a highly regarded variety of Gooseberry, developed by the North Dakota Experiment Station. Gardeners value this cultivar for its vigorous growth and reliable production of medium to large, tart, pink berries ready for harvest in July. While many gooseberries can be thorny, the Ribes ‘Pixwell’ is notably easier to manage due to being almost thornless.
This fruit shrub thrives in cooler northern climates, preferring USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 6. It establishes best when sited away from excessive wind and frost pockets, ensuring the best environment for its annual fruit set. The Ribes ‘Pixwell’ offers significant practical value, transforming from an ornamental shrub with attractive, showy flowers to a generous source of fruit for culinary uses.
Though generally adaptable, success with the Gooseberry is strongly tied to proper moisture levels and good air circulation. Understanding its specific cultural needs, such as amending soil richness and performing yearly renewal pruning, will maximize the yield and health of your Ribes ‘Pixwell’ bush.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Grossulariaceae
- Plant Type: Fruit
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-6
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Red/green
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant bare root Ribes ‘Pixwell’ bushes during the dormant season, ideally in October or November. Select a location that provides full sun, though light afternoon shade is beneficial in areas experiencing very hot summers, especially south of Zone 6. The soil must be organically rich, fertile, and well-draining, accommodating clay or silt loams while maintaining medium moisture.
Water your Gooseberry regularly to ensure the soil stays uniformly moist throughout the growing season; however, be careful to avoid overhead watering, which can encourage fungal issues. Applying a good compost mulch around the root zone helps conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Since plants are self-fertile, pollination management is straightforward.
Maintenance for the Ribes ‘Pixwell’ centers on precise pruning. Renewal pruning should occur in late winter or early spring annually. Because the freshest, most abundant fruit comes from younger branches, focus on removing older, weakened, or damaged limbs to open up the center of the bush. A bonus of growing Ribes ‘Pixwell’ is that this pruning process is easier than with other, notoriously thorny gooseberry types.
Landscape Uses
The Ribes ‘Pixwell’ functions beautifully in diverse landscape settings beyond the traditional vegetable patch. Its manageable shrub form, reaching 3 to 4 feet, allows it to be successfully grown as a standalone specimen or neatly trained into an espalier against a sunny wall or fence, maximizing space efficiency. For broader applications, this plant can form an attractive, productive hedge along property lines or in informal border settings.
When planning garden companions, choose plants that appreciate similar rich, well-drained soils and share sun requirements. Grouping the Gooseberry with early-blooming perennials or other small fruit bushes like currants or blueberries can create a charming edible landscape. Harvested berries are delicious eaten fresh or are perfect for making jams, jellies, and classic pies.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ribes is a substantial genus encompassing nearly 150 species, primarily found in northern temperate zones, famous for currants and gooseberries used for their edible fruit. The specific cultivar, ‘Pixwell’, originated from a 1920 breeding effort, resulting from a cross involving Ribes ‘Oregon Champion’ and R. Missouriense. This selection is recognized for its vigorous habit and good yielding potential, bearing tart pink berries that ripen in mid-summer.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
Potential Problems
Growing Gooseberry bushes successfully requires vigilance against common fungal diseases, especially in wet or humid summers. Diseases such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot can become troublesome if air circulation is poor or overhead watering is practiced. Keep an eye out for insect pests like the currant aphid and scale, though the Ribes ‘Pixwell’ shows reported resistance to white pine blister rust and mildew in some trials.
A critical consideration is the potential for white pine blister rust compatibility, as currants are alternate hosts for this destructive disease. Although ‘Pixwell’ is reportedly resistant, gardeners should confirm local regulations, as ten states maintain bans on Ribes species. Always consult your local Extension Service to ensure compliance if you live near white pine stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Gooseberry suitable for?
The Ribes ‘Pixwell’ Gooseberry is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 6.
How large does Ribes ‘Pixwell’ grow?
At maturity, this shrub typically reaches a height between 3 and 4 feet, with a corresponding spread of 3 to 4 feet.
When does Gooseberry bloom?
The insignificant flowers appear between May and June, displaying red/green coloration before the summer berry production begins.
What sun exposure does Ribes ‘Pixwell’ need?
This plant performs best receiving full sun but tolerates part shade, particularly appreciating some relief from harsh afternoon sun in warmer parts of its range.
Conclusion
The Ribes ‘Pixwell’ offers home gardeners a worthwhile fruit crop with manageable care, especially given its almost thornless nature and good yielding potential. Successfully cultivating this Gooseberry relies on providing well-drained, rich soil and implementing annual renewal pruning to encourage maximum fruit production. Check your local agricultural restrictions regarding Ribes growing and plan to plant your bare root stock in the late fall for next season’s harvest.
Companion Planting
When designing your garden layout around the Ribes ‘Pixwell’, look for companions that complement its cultural needs—rich soil, medium water, and sun exposure. Early-season herbaceous perennials that die back in summer work well, as they won’t compete heavily for root space once the shrub is actively fruiting. Consider pairing it with spring bulbs, which finish their cycle before the Gooseberry requires peak resources.
Grouping the Ribes ‘Pixwell’ with other shade-tolerant or partial-sun edibles can create an integrated fruit area. Rhubarb, thriving in similar conditions and needing rich soil, is an excellent neighbor. Avoid planting woody species that require heavy fertilization or dramatically different soil pH levels to prevent resource competition.
Pruning Structure for Maximum Yield
Maximizing the yield of your Ribes ‘Pixwell’ is directly related to understanding which branches produce the best fruit. Since younger growth yields the most abundant berries, the annual pruning strategy must focus on removing older wood. In late winter or early spring, identify branches that are four or more years old; these should be cut back to the ground level.
The goal of this renewal process is to maintain a healthy structure with a good number of one-, two-, and three-year-old canes, which are the prime fruit producers. Thinning out crowded interior branches promotes better air circulation throughout the bush, which is vital for helping to prevent the fungal issues that can plague gooseberries in humid weather.
