Consult your local plant nursery for special gooseberry clippings, like strains that are disease resistant or strains that are known for larger yields. A cultivar is a plant that has been grown from a stem cutting, grafting, or tissue cultures to ensure it retains the characteristics of the plant parent. Growing a plant from one of these plant’s seeds may not produce the same plant as the parent. “Variety” can often be found growing and reproducing naturally in the plant kingdom. Plants grown from its seeds will often come out true to type. Popular cultivars of the American gooseberry are ‘Hinnonmaki Red’ with dark red fruit, ‘Hinnonmaki Yellow’ with green fruit, and ‘Pixwell’ with berries that turn deep purple when ripe. ‘Captivator’, a hybrid between European and American gooseberries, is almost thornless with red fruit. A popular variety of the European gooseberry is ‘Invicta’ with very large, greenish yellow berries. If birds are eating your gooseberries, they’re probably hungry. Consider installing a bird feeder near your berries so they have easy access to another food source when they come looking for a snack. If you see them using it, remember to keep it stocked with fresh seed so the birds stay happy and your berries stay safe. You may need to net gooseberries if the birds become too interested. Gooseberries are banned in several states due to white pine blister rust. The gooseberry is a secondary host to the disease which can kill white pine trees. Several other states require a permit to grow these ribes. Check with your local cooperative extension office to find out if gooseberries or currant canes are allowed to be grown in your area.