Fuchsia-flowering Gooseberry
Ribes speciosum
Also listed as Grossularia speciosa, Ribes fuchsioides
Also known as Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry, Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub with striking tubular red flowers resembling fuchsias, followed by small edible gooseberries. Native to California, it attracts hummingbirds and is drought-tolerant once established.
Why grow it
Ribes speciosum offers earlier and more ornamental flowering than many native California gooseberries, with tubular red flowers that reliably attract hummingbirds. Its dual purpose as an ornamental shrub and producer of edible fruit makes it useful in mixed plantings where typical gooseberries might appear purely functional. The species' established drought tolerance and deciduous habit suit it to dry-summer climates where year-round irrigation is impractical.
Watch out for
This species prefers afternoon shade in hot inland climates, as full sun exposure can stress the plant and reduce flowering. In areas with poor air circulation, powdery mildew can be a recurring issue, particularly in coastal fog zones. The plant's spiny stems require careful placement away from frequent traffic paths, and pruning should be timed to dormancy to avoid excessive bleeding and pest entry.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
The species itself is the most commonly cultivated form; cultivars are rarely distinguished in horticulture.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub with striking tubular red flowers resembling fuchsias, followed by small edible gooseberries. Native to California, it attracts hummingbirds and is drought-tolerant once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Fuchsia-flowering Gooseberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Ribes speciosum offers earlier and more ornamental flowering than many native California gooseberries, with tubular red flowers that reliably attract hummingbirds. Its dual purpose as an ornamental shrub and producer of edible fruit makes it useful in mixed plantings where typical gooseberries might appear purely functional. The species' established drought tolerance and deciduous habit suit it to dry-summer climates where year-round irrigation is impractical.
Watch out for
This species prefers afternoon shade in hot inland climates, as full sun exposure can stress the plant and reduce flowering. In areas with poor air circulation, powdery mildew can be a recurring issue, particularly in coastal fog zones. The plant's spiny stems require careful placement away from frequent traffic paths, and pruning should be timed to dormancy to avoid excessive bleeding and pest entry.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
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Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
The species itself is the most commonly cultivated form; cultivars are rarely distinguished in horticulture.