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Coast Black Gooseberry

Ribes divaricatum var. pubiflorum

shrub View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

low

Soil

Fast; Moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality.

Size

6–11ft tall , 3–3ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Berries eaten fresh, traditional Indigenous food

Native Range

Riparian and moist woodlands of the Coast Ranges from Marin County to San Luis Obispo County, below 2000 ft elevation

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Coast Black Gooseberry in full sun or part shade in a spot with fast-draining, moisture-retentive loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Space it with room to grow, as this deciduous shrub can reach 6–11 feet tall. Plant in fall or early spring before the growing season begins. This native shrub is quite adaptable and doesn't require special companion planting, though it pairs well in wildlife-supporting native gardens.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer to establish the plant, then transition to low water once established - typically by year two. In late winter or early spring before new growth appears, prune out any dead or crossing branches; the plant's natural spreading habit means minimal pruning is needed. Expect the plant to leaf out in spring, flower March through May with hanging clusters of purple-tinted blooms, and then drop its leaves in fall. The biggest mistake is overwatering established plants - Coast Black Gooseberry thrives on low water, so dial back irrigation once the first growing season ends.

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