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Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs

Little Ben Dwarf Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa 'Little Ben'

Little Ben is a compact, deciduous gooseberry for edible plantings in Southwest Washington. Spring flowers give way to berries that generally ripen in summer, with July noted for this cultivar. At maturity, expect a shrub about 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Its size suits a berry row, small fruit garden, or informal edible hedge. Give plants full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Space shrubs about 3 to 4 feet apart, leaving room to reach the canes for pruning and harvest. Keep it away from susceptible five-needled pines where white pine blister rust is a concern.

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At a glance

Mature height
About 2–3 ft
Mature spread
About 2–4 ft
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness
Generally USDA Zones 3–7

The right plant, the right place

Make room for something good.

Little Ben fits a small fruit garden or berry row. Its compact habit also suits an informal edible hedge.

Where to plant

Set plants about 3 to 4 feet apart in full sun to partial shade. Leave enough room to reach the canes for harvest and pruning.

Through the seasons

Flowers appear in spring, followed by edible gooseberries. Fruit generally ripens in summer, often around July.

Southwest Washington gardens

Give it a good start.

Gooseberries can grow in the maritime Pacific Northwest. Keep this Ribes away from susceptible five-needled pines where white pine blister rust is a concern.

Soil, drainage & water

Plant in moist, well-drained soil. Gooseberries generally prefer a soil pH around 5.6 to 6.5.

A little care goes a long way

Growing well, season after season.

Prune while dormant in late winter. Retain productive young canes and remove older, damaged, or crowded canes.

Know what to look for

Common growing concerns.

Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.

Powdery mildew

A white, powdery coating may appear on leaves or shoots.

Help your plant thrive

Give shrubs suitable spacing and monitor new growth. Remove affected material and consult regional pest guidance if the problem persists.

Imported currantworm

Leaves show chewing damage and may lose substantial foliage.

Help your plant thrive

Check foliage regularly for larvae and feeding damage. Use regional pest guidance before treating an infestation.

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