Gooseberry 'Captivator' (Organic Grown)

Ribes uva-crispa 'Captivator'

Confirmed format: 3L pot • Approximate supplied height: 55cm • Organically grown

Plant Highlights: Sweet dark red berries • Nearly thornless stems • Self-fertile variety • Organically grown • Ideal for kitchen gardens and containers

Overview

Ribes uva-crispa 'Captivator' is a hardy deciduous fruit bush grown for its generous crops of sweet, dark red gooseberries that ripen from mid-summer into August. Its upright, bushy habit and virtually thornless upper branches make harvesting easier than with many traditional gooseberry varieties, while the fruit is equally delicious eaten fresh or used in baking, desserts, jams and preserves.

Supplied organically grown in a 3L pot at approximately 55cm tall, this reliable variety is well suited to kitchen gardens, fruit cages, allotments and large patio containers. As a self-fertile cultivar, it produces dependable crops without requiring another gooseberry for pollination, making it an excellent choice where space is limited.

Why We Love It

• Produces generous crops of sweet, dark red dessert gooseberries.

• Virtually thornless upper branches make harvesting more comfortable.

• Self-fertile, so a single plant will produce reliable crops.

• Excellent for fresh eating, baking, preserves and jams.

• Organically grown for gardeners seeking organically produced fruit plants.

Plant Details

Attribute	Information
Botanical Name	Ribes uva-crispa 'Captivator'
Common Name	Gooseberry 'Captivator'
Plant Type	Deciduous fruiting shrub
Growing Method	Organically grown
Foliage	Deciduous green foliage
Fruit	Sweet dark red gooseberries
Harvest Period	Mid-summer into August
Growth Habit	Upright, bushy with virtually thornless upper branches
Position	Full sun to light partial shade
Soil	Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
Mature Height	Approximately 1–1.5m
Mature Spread	Approximately 1–1.5m
Hardiness	RHS H6; fully hardy in UK and Irish climates
Pollination	Self-fertile

Growing Guide

Position

Grow in full sun for the heaviest crops, although light partial shade is also suitable. Choose an open position with good air circulation to encourage healthy growth.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season while the plant establishes. Keep the soil evenly moist during flowering and fruit development, particularly during prolonged dry weather, while avoiding waterlogged conditions.

Soil

Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Applying a mulch in spring helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil structure.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Hardy in UK and Irish climates (RHS H6). Established plants tolerate winter conditions well. Container-grown specimens benefit from additional protection during prolonged periods of severe frost.

Pollination

'Captivator' is self-fertile and does not require another gooseberry variety to produce fruit. Growing more than one gooseberry nearby may help increase overall yields.

Pruning and Routine Care

Prune in late winter or early spring by removing dead, damaged or overcrowded branches to maintain an open-centred framework. This improves air circulation, encourages healthy new growth and supports consistent fruit production.

Perfect For

• Kitchen gardens.

• Fruit gardens and allotments.

• Large patio containers.

• Edible borders.

• Home-grown fruit for fresh eating and preserving.

Good to Know

'Captivator' is prized for its virtually thornless upper branches, making harvesting easier than with many traditional gooseberry varieties. The stated pot size and supplied height refer to the plant at the time of sale and not its eventual mature size.

Product Information

• Supplied in a 3L nursery pot.

• Approximate supplied height: 55cm.

• Organically grown.

• Self-fertile deciduous fruit bush.

• Pot size and supplied height refer to the container and plant at the time of sale, not the mature size.