Jostaberry Bush

Originating from Germany this is a lovely fruit to grow - and more importantly to eat!

A hybrid cross of Gooseberry with Blackcurrant which has resulted in a reliable plant that produces purple black fruits that are a little bigger than a blackcurrant and a little smaller than a gooseberry. Not surprisingly, their flavour is a combination of a gooseberry and blackcurrant making them wonderful for cooking and preserves - or if left to really ripen are sweet enough to eat raw.

These were featured on the BBC Great British Garden Revival presented by Alys Fowler - who came to see us in the Summer to talk about all sorts of berries, and this just happened to be one of her favourites!

Best grown as you would a bush gooseberry, the plants are vigorous and have excellent resistance to both pest and diseases.

• Harvest from late July.
• Best planted 5 x 5 feet (1.5 x 1.5 metres) apart and kept at around 3 - 4 feet (90 - 120 cm) tall.
• Self Fertile.