Pixwell is a hardy American gooseberry introduced in North Dakota in the 1930s and long favored for its cold tolerance and its comparatively few thorns. It produces small to medium pale-green berries that turn pinkish as they ripen, with a tart flavor that sweetens somewhat when fully mature. The fruit hangs on long stalks away from the branches, which combined with the sparse thorns makes Pixwell one of the easiest gooseberries to pick. The bush is very hardy, adaptable, and dependable, tolerating harsh continental winters, which has made it a mainstay of Midwestern and prairie gardens. Though the flavor is more workmanlike than gourmet, its reliability and ease of harvest keep Pixwell popular for jams, pies, and preserves in cold-climate permaculture systems.
Flavor Profile
Tart when green and mildly sweet-tart when ripe; primarily a cooking and preserving gooseberry.
Visual Characteristics
Small to medium pale-green berries turning pink when ripe, hanging on long stalks on a nearly thornless hardy bush.
Growing Tips
Very cold-hardy and easy to pick thanks to few thorns and long fruit stalks. Reliable in continental climates.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.