Ribes lacustre (Swamp gooseberry)
One of two native lowland gooseberries, Ribes lacustre blooms spring through summer with a pendulous cluster of yellow-orange-pinkish to mahogany-bronze saucer-shaped flowers that turn to shiny purple-black fruits that are terrific for attracting birds to your landscape. The prickles on this gooseberry are less daunting than our other lowland species (Ribes divaricatum), and although the cinnamon-colored stem is covered in small golden-hued prickles, they are relatively soft (though some people have an allergic reaction, so care is always warranted!). However, the prickles enhance wildlife value, providing a small measure of protection for songbirds against predators. The deeply dissected, shiny green leaves turn attractive hues of yellow or light pink in autumn.
This gooseberry has a variable growth pattern, often staying only a few feet high, but sprawling outward; or it may reach up to 4-5 ft. tall.
Ribes lacustre is adaptable to many positions in the landscape: it can thrive in seasonally moist spots or be equally successful in dry soils. It's best in some shade, and thrives in dappled light, part-day shade, bright shade, and even part sun (avoiding the blasting mid-day sun in summer will make it more drought tolerant). Because its habitat value is so strong, use it where you are creating cover for small birds and other wildlife, and where it can blend with a PNW "naturalistic” aesthetic.
One of two native lowland gooseberries, Ribes lacustre blooms spring through summer with a pendulous cluster of yellow-orange-pinkish to mahogany-bronze saucer-shaped flowers that turn to shiny purple-black fruits that are terrific for attracting birds to your landscape. The prickles on this gooseberry are less daunting than our other lowland species (Ribes divaricatum), and although the cinnamon-colored stem is covered in small golden-hued prickles, they are relatively soft (though some people have an allergic reaction, so care is always warranted!). However, the prickles enhance wildlife value, providing a small measure of protection for songbirds against predators. The deeply dissected, shiny green leaves turn attractive hues of yellow or light pink in autumn.
This gooseberry has a variable growth pattern, often staying only a few feet high, but sprawling outward; or it may reach up to 4-5 ft. tall.
Ribes lacustre is adaptable to many positions in the landscape: it can thrive in seasonally moist spots or be equally successful in dry soils. It's best in some shade, and thrives in dappled light, part-day shade, bright shade, and even part sun (avoiding the blasting mid-day sun in summer will make it more drought tolerant). Because its habitat value is so strong, use it where you are creating cover for small birds and other wildlife, and where it can blend with a PNW "naturalistic” aesthetic.
One of two native lowland gooseberries, Ribes lacustre blooms spring through summer with a pendulous cluster of yellow-orange-pinkish to mahogany-bronze saucer-shaped flowers that turn to shiny purple-black fruits that are terrific for attracting birds to your landscape. The prickles on this gooseberry are less daunting than our other lowland species (Ribes divaricatum), and although the cinnamon-colored stem is covered in small golden-hued prickles, they are relatively soft (though some people have an allergic reaction, so care is always warranted!). However, the prickles enhance wildlife value, providing a small measure of protection for songbirds against predators. The deeply dissected, shiny green leaves turn attractive hues of yellow or light pink in autumn.
This gooseberry has a variable growth pattern, often staying only a few feet high, but sprawling outward; or it may reach up to 4-5 ft. tall.
Ribes lacustre is adaptable to many positions in the landscape: it can thrive in seasonally moist spots or be equally successful in dry soils. It's best in some shade, and thrives in dappled light, part-day shade, bright shade, and even part sun (avoiding the blasting mid-day sun in summer will make it more drought tolerant). Because its habitat value is so strong, use it where you are creating cover for small birds and other wildlife, and where it can blend with a PNW "naturalistic” aesthetic.