Redcurrant 'Witte Hollander' (Ribes rubrum) - hardy small fruit - 9 cm pot - Height 35 cm - Set of 3

The 'Witte Hollander' White Gooseberry (Ribes rubrum) is renowned for its high productivity when given plenty of sunshine. Long, well-filled clusters appear as early as July and persist on the plant for several weeks. Growing several plants side by side, as with a pack of 3 plants, further promotes cross-pollination and improves overall yield. Soil enriched with compost and regular watering in summer are the two key factors for producing plump, abundant clusters year after year.

The harvest of the White Gooseberry 'Witte Hollander' generally takes place between July and August depending on the region and weather conditions. The translucent white berries indicate their ripeness by a slight transparency that reveals the seeds and a distinctly sweeter flavor than the red gooseberry. It is recommended to harvest the whole clusters in'a single motion, with the'help of small scissors, so as not to damage the others. The fruit keeps for a few days in the refrigerator and freezes very well to be used out of season.

Yes, the 'Witte Hollander' White Gooseberry (Ribes rubrum) grows very well in a pot or container on a sunny balcony or terrace. Choose a container at least 30 to 40 cm in diameter to provide enough root space for each plant. Use a general-purpose potting mix lightly enriched with compost and ensure good drainage at the bottom of the pot. In a container, watering should be more regular than when planted in the ground, as the potting mix dries out more quickly in summer; mulching the soil surface helps reduce water loss.

The White Gooseberry 'Witte Hollander' s'is pruned every year in late w'inter, generally between January and March, before the buds b'reak. The principle is simple: white gooseberries bear fruit mainly on two- and three-year-old shoots. You must therefore remove the oldest branches (older than three years), recognizable by their darker bark and thicker wood, and keep the vigorous young shoots. Airing out the center of t'he bush by removing crossing shoots also helps to limit the risk of diseases such as p'owdery mildew and i'mprove the quality of the fruit.

The 'Witte Hollander' White Gooseberry is a perfectly hardy fruit bush, suited to the French climate at all latitudes. The species Ribes rubrum tolerates very low winter temperatures without suffering, and the twigs and buds withstand frost without any particular protection when planted in the ground. The only useful precaution in a pot: insulate the container from the ground with a wooden support and surround the soil in the pot with horticultural fleece or straw during exceptional cold spells, in order to protect the roots from frost in the root ball. In the garden, no winter treatment is necessary.

The White Gooseberry 'Witte Hollander' s'flourishes and bears fruit abundantly in full sun. A minimum of six hours of 'direct sunlight per day is ideal for producing well-formed clusters and sufficiently sweet berries. A partially shaded position remains acceptable in regions with very hot summers, where a veil of 'shade at midday protects the berries from 'over-ripening too quickly. On the other hand, prolonged shade significantly reduces fruit production and weakens the 'shrub against fungal diseases such as botrytis or 'powdery mildew.

The white berries of the Gooseberry 'Witte Hollander' stand out for their sweet and delicately fragrant flavor, less tart than the red gooseberry, which makes them very versatile in cooking. They can be enjoyed plain, straight from the bunch, or used in refined desserts: tarts, pavlovas, fruit salads, or sorbets. Their natural sugars also make them an excellent base for jellies, coulis, or homemade syrups. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, they can also be dried or frozen to be used throughout the 'year.