Culture
Best grown in rich, evenly moist, well-draining, sandy loams. Tolerant of some shade, but best fruiting is in full sun in climates with cool summers. Provide afternoon shade in climates with hot summers. Apply mulch in spring to keep roots shaded and moist during the summer. Prune as needed when dormant. Although this is a self-fertile hybrid, having two or more plants will improve fruiting. Hardy in Zones 3-8.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ribes × nidigrolaria, commonly called jostaberry, is a hybrid, deciduous, fruiting shrub resulting from a complex cross between two hybrid Ribes: a powdery mildew resistant selection of R. divaricatum (spreading gooseberry or coastal black gooseberry) × R. nigrum (black current), and the white pine blister rust resistant R. uva-crispa (European gooseberry) × R. nigrum. This hybrid was developed by Dr. Rudolf Bauer in Cologne, Germany and introduced in the 1970s. Mature plants will reach around 6' tall with a similar width and take on a broadly spreading, multi-stemmed, vigorous growth habit. The stems are thornless. The foliage has 3-5 lobes and will reach up to 2.75" long with an equal width. Maroon-pink and creamy white bi-color flowers bloom in clusters of 3-5 in spring. The flowers are followed by broadly elliptic to round, fruits which have a sweet and tart flavor. The fruits mature from light green to black and can be harvested in mid-summer.
The genus name Ribes is derived from the Arabic ribas, the name used for Rheum ribes (Syrian rhubarb), an unrelated, wild rhubarb species. European herbalists possibly connected the two due to the acidic flavor of the flowering stem of R. ribes, or the visually similar panicles of red fruits.
The hybrid name nidigrolaria is a combination of the specific epithets of the parent species: ni(grum), di(varicatum), and gro(ssu)laria (Ribes grossularia is synonym of R. uva-crispa).
The common name jostaberry (pronouced "yahst-a-berry") is a combination of the common names for currant and gooseberry in German: Johannisbeere and Stachelbeere.
Problems
Offers improved pest and disease resistance compared to the parent species. Resistant to black currant leaf spot, white pine blister rust, powdery mildew, and black current gall mites. Although jostaberry is reportedly not a host for white pine blister rust, it is still illegal to plant this hybrid in certain areas of the United States (particularly in the eastern United States) where bans on Ribes plants are in effect for the avowed purpose of protecting large stands of white pines from the disease. Contact your local Extension Service to verify if these plants can be grown in your area. Missouri has no restrictions on Ribes plants. Crops usually need to be protected from birds with netting or other enclosures.
Uses
Informal hedge or specimen shrub for the fruit or vegetable garden. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used to make jams, chutneys, pies, muffins, crumbles, liqueur, or juice.