The ‘Hinnomaki’ gooseberry (most commonly ‘Hinnomaki Red’, Ribes uva-crispa) is a compact, extremely hardy fruiting shrub originating from Finland, making it very well adapted to prairie climates. It forms a dense, rounded habit with small thorns along the stems and attractive, deeply lobed green foliage that turns yellow in fall. In spring, it produces small, bell-shaped flowers followed by medium-sized berries that ripen to a rich red. The fruit has a distinctive sweet-tart flavour with a slightly thicker skin, making it excellent for fresh eating, jams, and baking. This variety is known for its reliability, cold tolerance, and good resistance to powdery mildew.
- Size: Height: 3–4 ft. Spread: 3–4 ft
- Light: Full sun to partial shade; full sun preferred for best yield
- Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil; tolerates slightly acidic conditions
- Water: Maintain consistent moisture, especially during fruit set
- Hardiness: Very hardy (Zone 2), excellent for Regina conditions
- Pruning: Prune in early spring to remove older wood and maintain an open shape
- Fertilizer: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in spring
- Spacing: Space 3–4 ft apart
- Maintenance: Mulch to conserve moisture; monitor for sawfly and mildew