Two new additions to the breeding program: ‘Leveller’ and ‘Langley Gage’
4-24-23 It was the personal accounts of home gardeners, or something like them, that I was looking for on the internet when I came across ‘Leveller’ and ‘Langley Gage’, two old English varieties touted for flavor.
I’ve never tasted these varieties. Honestly I have no idea what a “good” gooseberry tastes like—they are not common here. But I’ve eaten some described that way and have always been disappointed. In my experience, gooseberries are a culinary fruit which are best used when under-ripe—when they are too tart to eat fresh.
‘Leveller’ and ‘Langley Gage’ came from Whitman Farms in Oregon, the only nursery I found that carries them. Lucille Whitman warned me that they would not grow in this climate… Powdery mildew has shown up on both already.
Although the plant was small, ‘Leveller’ produced a couple of flowers in time to use in crosses this spring, as a pollen donor. I always watch for flowers on new stock. Sometimes cuttings will flower, too, while still in the mist bed for rooting. Taking advantage of opportunities like these can hasten progress.