Sierra Gooseberry
Ribes roezlii
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sierra Gooseberry (Ribes roezlii) is not flagged as toxic to dogs or cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF) (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Sierra Gooseberry as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
low
Size
24"–60" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, NV, OR
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Sierra Gooseberry.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Sierra gooseberry is a small to medium-sized native shrub with delicate magenta blooms in spring. It has attractive lobed leaves and produces small edible berries following flowering. This deciduous shrub tolerates drought and partial sun conditions well.
In an HOA neighborhood
Sierra Gooseberry is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone.
- Has thorns that may be a liability concern
- Can appear scraggly during dormant season
- Requires strategic placement away from pathways
Wildlife value
The spring flowers provide valuable nectar for bees and hummingbirds. The berries later attract birds and small mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does Sierra Gooseberry need?
- Sierra Gooseberry grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Sierra Gooseberry bloom?
- Sierra Gooseberry blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Sierra Gooseberry native?
- Sierra Gooseberry (Ribes roezlii) is native to CA, NV, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Sierra Gooseberry toxic to dogs?
- Sierra Gooseberry is not flagged as toxic to dogs by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
- Is Sierra Gooseberry toxic to cats?
- Sierra Gooseberry is not flagged as toxic to cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
- Is Sierra Gooseberry toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sierra Gooseberry as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Sierra Gooseberry attract?
- Sierra Gooseberry draws bees and hummingbirds.
- Is Sierra Gooseberry HOA-friendly?
- Sierra Gooseberry is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Sierra Gooseberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.