Worcesterberry (Ribes divaricatum)
Worcesterberry (Ribes divaricatum)
The worcesterberry is a spiny and vigorous relative of the gooseberry family.
An excellent candidate for a good stock proof hedge is the worcesterberry, and you'll have no trouble growing it as it's tolerant of just about everything, save perhaps a waterlogged soil. Its origins are in North America so we do not know how it came by its name, but it is tough and disease resistant, content in sun or shade and can get to 2 m given the chance.
The fruits are like small black gooseberries and are produced in large quantities. They make excellent eating either raw or cooked.