1. Stark Bro's
  2. Berry Plants
  3. Hybrid Berry Plants
  4. Jostaberry
Photo of Jostaberry
Photo of Jostaberry

Jostaberry

14 ReviewsAsk Questions
Qty
Item #133063, Bare-root.
FREE Shipping
on orders of $115+*
$22.99
Each

Description

A gooseberry and currant cross! The rich berry taste is reminiscent of gooseberry with a kiss of black currant. Deep-red, almost-black fruit is high in vitamin C and forms in large clusters, ideal for juices, jams and jellies, and fresh-eating. Cold-hardy plants are long-lived, thornless, and productive once established. Debuted in 1977. The name “jostaberry” itself is a combination of the German word for blackcurrant, “Johannisbeere” and for gooseberry, “Stachelbeere”. Disease-resistant to American gooseberry mildew, black currant leaf spot, white pine blister rust, and big bud gall mite. Ripens in July. Self-pollinating. (Ribes × nidigrolaria)

Jostaberries are available only during the spring ordering season.

125% Survival Guarantee!

Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will issue a one-time merchandise credit to your account equaling 125% of the original product purchase price. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Bloom Color Purple, Red
Fruit Color Red
Fruit Size Medium
Pollination Self-Pollinating
Ripens/Harvest July
Shade/Sun Partial Shade - Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy, Sandy
Soil Moisture Well Drained - Average Moistness
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 6.5
Taste Tangy-sweet
Texture Firm
Years to Bear 2 - 3
Zone Range 4 - 7

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 4 - 7
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

When your plant matures, it will be approximately 3 - 5' tall x 3 - 6' wide.

Recommended Spacing

We recommend spacing these plants 3 - 6' apart to ensure room for growth.

Pollination

This variety is self pollinating.

In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. You'll get fruit with only one plant!

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow hybrid berry plants in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Read about how to grow hybrid berry plants »

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

Tags

We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

Questions & Answers

Powered by TurnTo
Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 10 questions Browse 10 questions and 35 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
Pixwell Gooseberry failed to thrive twice, so I will not try a third time. I think the Jostaberry may be a fine substitute.
Lisa S on Feb 3, 2021
used to grow them 30 years, really liked the flavor decided ill buy one
kennard d on Apr 20, 2020
Pixwell Gooseberry failed to thrive twice, so I will not try a third time. I think the Jostaberry may be a fine substitute.
Lisa S on Feb 3, 2021
"A gooseberry and currant cross", I liked that.
Keith L on Jan 27, 2021
used to grow them 30 years, really liked the flavor decided ill buy one
kennard d on Apr 20, 2020
to fill up a corner of my yard with something edible
Joann B on Apr 16, 2020
Just to try something new sounds rather interesting
Elisabeth M on Apr 10, 2020
We wanted to try gooseberry and currant, so this fit the bill!
Karen A on Mar 31, 2020
my wife wanted it
JaNae M on Mar 20, 2020
Looked interesting
Doug N on Mar 4, 2020
Hope to get some good jam from them. Think the wife will like the flower color.
Jim J on Feb 14, 2020
I grew it at my former residence and wanted it at my new residence.
Michael L on Jan 31, 2020
I love gooseberries and i want to try this hybrid
Magdeline S on Dec 6, 2019
Prolific fruit bearer, and delicious. They make fabulous jellies, wines, dried snacks, & of course, fresh off the plant eating! Grown jostas for years, and it's a favourite berry in my home.
nathan s. on Jun 16, 2019
Recommended by my mother-in-law
Theresa P on May 26, 2019
I wanted a sweet yet tart but not overly tart gooseberry
Seth G on May 13, 2019
Because I???ve never heard of them, and have never tried any of the berries that were combined to create this one. We thought it would be a fun addition to our growing berry patch, and to have something new for our kids to try.
Megan N on Apr 27, 2019
Interesting fruit to add to my edible landscaping
Michelle B. on Mar 18, 2019
I'm slowly building up my edible landscape, and I think this plant is beautiful. I'm also very interested in tasting the berry.
Carolyn W on Jun 13, 2018
Thorn-less and sort of like a gooseberry. Should be good for eating fresh or used in jams or wine. They might mix well with my elderberries.
EUGENE M on May 31, 2018
High in vitamins and easy to care for.
KARL G on May 19, 2018
Have two already. We love them and want more.
ADAM R on Dec 24, 2017
This Jostaberry, along with Goji, blueberry, and strawberries, will make a awesome multi-fruit jam
CHRISTOPHER C on Mar 20, 2017
I have had red currant bushes and I was looking to expand the flavors of my homemade pies and jams. More disease resistance and easy care appealed to me.
BRIAN R on Mar 25, 2016
Cross sounds interesting
Walter H on Mar 11, 2016
I've done well with gooseberries. I thought I'd try this interesting hybrid!
Chris D on Mar 7, 2016
"A gooseberry and currant cross", I liked that.
Keith L on Jan 27, 2021
to fill up a corner of my yard with something edible
Joann B on Apr 16, 2020
Will this plant cross pollinate with black currant or gooseberry?
Troy H on Nov 13, 2017
BEST ANSWER: They are all three in the Ribes genus, but only a black and red jostaberry combination will cross-pollinate. They must be two of the same species.
Do they have fruit on new or old wood?
Terrie M on Nov 8, 2018
BEST ANSWER: We've only had our jostaberry for two years, but have had a gooseberry for over twenty. And since a jostaberry is a cross between a gooseberry and a couple of different kinds of black currants, the cultivation is the same. Berries grow on canes that are a year old, not new. After a few years you remove the cane as its productivity declines. We just got a few jostaberries last summer, but they were delicious.
Looking at this and the gooseberries- would they work in a raised bed or would they do better in the ground?
GoodSeedGarden on Apr 10, 2018
BEST ANSWER: Either will work. Jostaberries grow best with a soil pH between 6.0-6.5. Ideal soil is fertile, loamy and well drained (but will not dry out). They like moist, but not water-logged, soil. A raised bed will require more water because it will dry out faster.
What variety is it?
Cpjuk2us on Mar 16, 2020
BEST ANSWER: To the best of my knowledge there are no varieties. Jostaberry is already a complex hybridization of black current, american black gooseberry and european gooseberry.
How well do hosts berries do with lots of shade?
Meredith S on Nov 29, 2020
BEST ANSWER: They prefer full sun but can handle partial shade.
Can I plant Raspberry Shortcake raspberries in the same bed as a jostaberry?
Audrey R on May 31, 2020
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Yes you should be able to plant these together since their cultural requirements are generally compatible.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
Hi , how big are the josta berry plants you are selling?
christin c on Apr 6, 2020
BEST ANSWER: The ones I received were about one foot tall, bare like a stick. Never grew.
Are these plants toxic to livestock?
Bernadette H on Oct 23, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Not to my knowledge. They are a cross between gooseberries and currents so if neither of those species is considered toxic these should be fine. They lack thorns so livestock may more readily graze on them than on gooseberries.

Customer Reviews

Powered by TurnTo
4.2 / 5.0
14 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
9
2
1
1
1
Growing well in partially shaded area
Keeping the rabbits/deer from eating the leaves on the year old Jostaberry has not been a problem. I simply mix my own "repellent" of 1 dozen raw eggs to one gallon of water with a tablespoon of garlic powder in an old laundry detergent bottle. Shake like crazy and let sit in a sunny spot outside for a week to ripen. The animals do not like the smell, humans don't either. Apply again after rain. The scent has a residual to it that humans cannot smell but the animals can. No more deer eating my Jostaberry leaves. Have not had long enough for fruiting so I cannot comment yet but the bush is doing well here in southeaster Wi.
May 12, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
not full sun.
I would not put the jostaberry where it gets full sun! of my 5 plants i lost 2 that were full sun while the 2 that have only sunlight for 3/4 hours are doing great. they all had water. The other was in full shade - doing great but died from fire blight.
August 5, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Didn't survive Georgia heat
This Jostaberry is rated for zone 7 (we are in 7B), but it didn't survive the summer once the temperature got into the 90's, even though we planted it in part-shade.
May 11, 2016
Growing well!
Our Jostaberries have thrived. They arrived as healthy plants and have taken off in their second year. They are full of berries now, and I look forward to harvesting them in the summer.
May 5, 2017
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Jostaberry
The Jostaberry survived a very harsh winter and soaking spring here in Maryland. It leafed out well and is going strong.
May 12, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Outstanding!
Received my Stark Bro's package today, and was quite excited about the Jostaberry. What a beautiful root stock ( large, happy, and healthy)! I have currants and gooseberries, and I can't wait for Jostberries! I highly recommend this plant. Outstanding for $11.99! THANK YOU!
February 19, 2016
Jostaberry status
This is our second year with the jostaberry plants and they're really beginning to grow quite well. We had to fence them in due to deer pressure . Hopefully this year we'll get some fruit. It appears that you need full son for this plant.
May 19, 2017
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Small but healthy
1 year old bush is about 24" tall, no signs of bloom yet, probably next year or 2 before I get any fruit. However, it was healthy looking from the start. Not cheap.
May 22, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
Very nice
After the first year of rooting in they really take off
May 5, 2018
Purchased
 over 4 years ago
love it
Still to little to grow fruit but survived Chicago Winter on my balcony and is happily growing new leaves!!!
May 3, 2019
Purchased
 over 3 years ago

Here are more items we think you'll love!