Skip to main content

Canada Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Last reviewed: July 2026

Canada Gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides)
Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2: 240. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

24"–60" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

ID, MI, MN, MT and 10 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Canada Gooseberry is a native shrub that produces small, edible berries in summer. It forms a moderately sized, rounded bush with lobed leaves and small greenish flowers in late spring. The plant provides both ornamental value and wildlife food throughout the growing season.

In an HOA neighborhood

Canada Gooseberry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Thorny branches create safety concerns
  • Informal growth habit appears unmanicured
  • Can look sparse and scraggly in winter

Wildlife value

Flowers attract bees and flies in May and June, while the berries feed birds and small mammals. The shrub also provides nesting habitat and cover for various wildlife species.

Common questions

How much sun does Canada Gooseberry need?
Canada Gooseberry grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Canada Gooseberry bloom?
Canada Gooseberry blooms in May and June.
Where is Canada Gooseberry native?
Canada Gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides) is native to ID, MI, MN, MT and 10 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Canada Gooseberry attract?
Canada Gooseberry draws bees and flies.
Is Canada Gooseberry HOA-friendly?
Canada Gooseberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Canada Gooseberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz