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  1. Stark Bro's
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  4. Jostaberry
Jostaberry
Jostaberry

Jostaberry

9 ReviewsAsk Questions

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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.

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.

Recommended Pollinators

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.

Questions & Answers

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Stark Bro's Store
This Jostaberry, along with Goji, blueberry, and strawberries, will make a awesome multi-fruit jam
CHRISTOPHER C on Mar 20, 2017
Cross sounds interesting
Walter H on Mar 11, 2016
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
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
I've done well with gooseberries. I thought I'd try this interesting hybrid!
Chris D on Mar 7, 2016

Customer Reviews

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3.8 / 5.0
9 Reviews
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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 2 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
 1 year 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
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
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 2 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 2 years ago
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
 1 year ago
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
 1 year ago
Didn't survive
Died out in a first year. I had better luck with their other plants though.
April 19, 2017
Purchased
 over 2 years ago

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