But Anna didn't grow for size. She grew for flavor . The story, passed down through five generations of the Ralphs family until the last known bush died in the 1950s, is one of accidental genius.
Gooseberries are susceptible to a fungal disease called American gooseberry mildew ( Sphaerotheca mors-uvae ). In the early 20th century, this disease decimated European soft fruit. While some cultivars like ‘Invicta’ proved resistant, the delicate, thin-skinned ‘Anna Ralphs’ was tragicically vulnerable. anna ralphs gooseberry
In the spring of 1857, Anna noticed a "sport"—a natural genetic mutation—on a standard green gooseberry bush near her stone wall. Most gooseberries of the era were hairy, tart, and almost exclusively used for cooking (usually with vast amounts of sugar for fool or sauce). But Anna didn't grow for size
Botanic gardens are increasingly turning to "resurrection horticulture"—using old seeds from herbarium specimens or digging up dormant root systems at abandoned Victorian estates. Gooseberries are susceptible to a fungal disease called
Unlike many modern gooseberries, the Anna Ralphs prefers a cool, maritime climate. It hates humidity. It thrives in USDA zones 4-7, but needs morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer zones.
The Anna Ralphs fruits on two-year-old wood. The Victorian method was to grow it as a "standard" (a single stem with a ball on top) or against a south-facing wall. Prune in winter to create an open goblet shape.