{"title":"Deer Resistance","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe plants we sell that university extension and wildlife agency research rates as rarely or seldom badly damaged by deer. No plant is deer proof, and a hungry deer will eat almost anything, but these get hit a lot less than most.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about planting where deer roam\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou won't find our fruit trees here. This group is mostly berry shrubs, perennial vegetables and a few tough natives. These are the plants we'd try first outside a fence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGooseberries are the core of it. Black Velvet, Captivator, Hinnomaki Red, Invicta, Jahn's Prairie, Jeanne and Pixwell are all rated rarely bothered, all self-fertile and all hardy to zone 3. For eating fresh, Black Velvet, Captivator, Hinnomaki Red, Jahn's Prairie and Jeanne scored 8\/10. For pies and jam, Hinnomaki Red, Invicta and Pixwell scored 8\/10. Hinnomaki Red is our favorite, and it took -35°F in Kalispell with no damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoneyberry is rarely bothered too, and it's hardy to zone 2. It needs cross-pollination, so our bundle comes with 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra to pollenize them. The cold climate blueberry bundle works the same way, with 2 Chippewa plus a pollenizer. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-shrubs\"\u003efruit shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e if you have a fenced spot too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the vegetable garden, asparagus (9\/10 as a perennial vegetable), rhubarb and horseradish all hold up to deer. Buffaloberry and sea buckthorn fix nitrogen and need both male and female plants, so plant the whole bundle. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/deer-resistant-plants\"\u003edeer resistant plants\u003c\/a\u003e page and the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plant-finder\"\u003ePlant Finder\u003c\/a\u003e can help you narrow it down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat fruit bushes do deer not eat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo plant is deer proof, but our gooseberries and honeyberry are rated rarely bothered. Golden currant, buffaloberry and the cold climate blueberry bundle are seldom badly damaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo deer eat gooseberries?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Every gooseberry in this group is rated rarely bothered, and they're all self-fertile and hardy to zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat deer resistant plants grow in zone 2?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoneyberry, buffaloberry, golden currant, hawthorn and sea buckthorn are hardy to zone 2. Ponderosa pine is rated to zone 2b.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"asparagus-bundle-of-5","title":"Asparagus (Bundle of 25) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asparagus is an asparagus crown rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), needs no pollination, and it ripens about May 9 to Jun 29 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLittle or none (0 to 200 hours). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. It comes back fine after any winter. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#asparagus-bundle-of-5\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo Pollination Needed. Asparagus plants are male or female, but the spears you harvest are young shoots and need no pollination at all. The small summer flowers on the ferns get some bee visits, but asparagus is not an orchard pollenizer. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#asparagus\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout May 9 to Jun 29 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerennial vegetable (9\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, Mary Washington or Jersey Knight or Purple Passion. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWe are offering three of our best performing asparagus in Montana—Mary Washington, Millenium, and Purple Passion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eMary Washington\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eA classic heirloom variety known for its reliable yields and resistance to rust. Hardy and well-suited for zones 3–8 (even zone 2 if properly covered in 1 ft of straw or wood mulch).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eJersey Knight\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eA top-performing, all-male hybrid known for its high yields and disease resistance. Produces thick, tender, flavorful spears with excellent cold hardiness and tolerance to rust, crown rot, and fusarium. Vigorous and dependable, it thrives in a wide range of climates and is ideal for northern growers seeking a long-lived, productive asparagus patch. Hardy to zone 3 or even zone 2 if properly covered in mulch over the winter (1 ft of straw or wood mulch).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003ePurple Passion\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThis vibrant purple asparagus is tender, sweet, and less fibrous than green varieties,. Excellent for fresh eating. The others steam better though in our experience. Hardy in zones 3–8, it performs well in most soils. Can be grown in zone 2 like the others if properly covered with 1 ft of straw or wood mulch over the winter.The color is striking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Asparagus\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Asparagus?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Asparagus hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Asparagus need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle or none. Asparagus doesn't depend on winter chill to come back (our upper bound is 200 hours). Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Asparagus has no real chill requirement. Winter cold just puts the crowns to sleep, and it's a big commercial crop in Peru and Mexico. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#asparagus-bundle-of-5\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Asparagus ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout May 9 to Jun 29 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Asparagus good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Asparagus are perennial vegetable (9\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Asparagus?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Asparagus, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Asparagus ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: Mary Washington or Jersey Knight or Purple Passion. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Mary Washington","offer_id":42498792063042,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Jersey Knight","offer_id":42498792095810,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Purple Passion","offer_id":42498792128578,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/asparagus-green-spear.webp?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"black-velvet-gooseberry-bundle-of-2","title":"Black Velvet Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Velvet Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), and self-fertile, so one plant can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (700 to 2,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-velvet-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Black Velvet sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1-2 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBlack Velvet is a hybrid of gooseberry and Worcesterberry, described as having medium, dark red, sweet, high-quality fruit with a superb, almost blueberry-like flavor. This is our first year growing it, so we don’t have our own cold hardiness data for Montana yet, and the zone 3 rating above comes from other growers’ reports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePlant Size \u0026amp; Age\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese Black Velvet Gooseberries are the large grade and are currently in 1-gallon pots, but will be bare rooted for Spring 2027. They are 3 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to New Hampshire or North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law. North Carolina prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide; New Hampshire permits only a short list of named rust-resistant cultivars, which does not include this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships) and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Black Velvet Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Black Velvet Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Black Velvet Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single plant can set fruit. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Black Velvet Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Black Velvet Gooseberry at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. We're still new to it, so that rating comes from other growers' reports rather than our own winters. We'll adjust it as our own plants go through more Montana winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Black Velvet Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 2,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-velvet-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Black Velvet Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Black Velvet Gooseberry are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Black Velvet Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Black Velvet Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Black Velvet Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo dormant bare-root plants, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1-2 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"1-2 ft.","offer_id":42498924314690,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/black-velvet-gooseberry-fruit.webp?v=1789019220"},{"product_id":"buffaloberry-bundle-of-5","title":"Buffaloberry (Bundle of 5) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffaloberry is a buffaloberry shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and dioecious, with separate male and female plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSilver buffaloberry, bullberry (Shepherdia argentea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#buffaloberry-bundle-of-5\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDioecious - Needs Male and Female. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Buffaloberry plants are either male or female, and only females fruit. Plant all five together so you almost certainly get both sexes. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#buffaloberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (9\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), soil building (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eAn extremely drought-tolerant and cold-hardy shrub, the fruits have a nice lemony, sweet\/tart taste and have recently earned the label of a \"superfruit.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImpressive Size in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIt reaches around 12–15 feet in Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, and other places we’ve seen it growing across Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNitrogen-Fixing Bonus\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eThis non-leguminous, nitrogen-fixing shrub is hardy down to Zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuffaloberry is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The USDA plant guide says the flowers are insect pollinated, most commonly by honey bees and bumble bees. Either way, having at least one male nearby as a pollenizer is essential for fruit production, and one male will serve several females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plants are grown from seed, which means there is no fixed male-to-female ratio in any given bundle. However, in large populations, seed-grown buffaloberry naturally averages about 50% male and 50% female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the sex of seedlings cannot be determined until they flower, the ratio within a bundle of five is random. Statistically, each seedling has a 50% chance of being male and a 50% chance of being female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo put the odds in practical terms:\u003cbr\u003eThe probability that all five seedlings are female is (0.5)⁵, or 3.125%.\u003cbr\u003eThat means the probability that a bundle of five contains at least one male is 96.875%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn real-world terms, almost every bundle of five will include a male, making this an effective and practical way to establish a fruiting planting from seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummary:\u003cbr\u003eSeedling ratio: roughly 50\/50 male–female\u003cbr\u003eOdds your bundle of five includes at least one male: ~97%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCurrent Plant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003ePlants are currently 2-3 ft tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Buffaloberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Buffaloberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Buffaloberry hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Buffaloberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. A native of cold plains winters. No one has measured its chill need, but anywhere with a real winter should be fine. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#buffaloberry-bundle-of-5\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Buffaloberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Buffaloberry are feeding wildlife (9\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), soil building (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Buffaloberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Buffaloberry, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Buffaloberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42535083147330,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/buffaloberry-fruit-on-branch.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"captivator-gooseberry-bundle-of-2","title":"Captivator Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Captivator Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), self-fertile, so one plant can crop, and it ripens about Jul 9 to Jul 19 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 2,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#captivator-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Captivator sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 9 to Jul 19 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSimilar to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hinnomakired\"\u003eHinnomaki Red\u003c\/a\u003e in terms of their pretty red berries, Captivator is slightly more tart than Hinnomaki Red. We’ve noticed that they are “jammier” than Hinnomaki, in that when you eat the berries, it’s like eating a berry of jam. It has a nice, unique flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardy to -40°F or more, Captivator is perfect for cold climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003ePlant Size \u0026amp; Root Health\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese shrubs are 1–2 feet tall and have excellent root systems, with lots of fine root hairs to help them establish quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, which prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Hampshire, where ‘Captivator’ is on the state’s approved rust-resistant cultivar list but still requires a permit from the Division of Forests \u0026amp; Lands before planting; Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships); and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “PI 556051 'Captivator' (Ribes uva-crispa), fruit photo rib0137.001.captivator.fruit1.2007” by USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1451023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “PI 556051 'Captivator' (Ribes uva-crispa), fruit photo rib0137.001.captivator.fruit2.2007” by USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1451023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Captivator Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Captivator Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Captivator Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Captivator sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Captivator Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Captivator Gooseberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Captivator Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 2,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#captivator-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Captivator Gooseberry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 9 to Jul 19 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Captivator Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Captivator Gooseberry are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Captivator Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Captivator Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Captivator Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42472434696258,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/captivator-gooseberries-on-bush.jpg?v=1791615286"},{"product_id":"golden-currant-bundle-of-3","title":"Golden Currant (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden Currant is a currant shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClove currant, buffalo currant (Ribes aureum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#golden-currant-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), very early spring here. Plant all three together. Golden currant may set some fruit alone, but different seedlings pollenize each other for a better crop. Its early fragrant flowers are great spring bee food. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-velvey-gooseberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eBlack Velvet Gooseberry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/captivator-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eCaptivator Gooseberry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hinnomakired\"\u003eHinnomaki Red Gooseberry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/invicta-gooseberry\"\u003eInvicta Gooseberry (Bundle of 2)\u003c\/a\u003e. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), feeding wildlife (8\/10), pollinators (8\/10), ornamental value (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eGolden Currant is native to North America, with fragrant yellow flowers in the spring and sweet, scrumptious berries that are\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e 6-10 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003emm diameter, globose to ellipsoid, ripening from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003egreen to yellow to red and finally black to dark \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003epurple.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eGreat Fit for Montana Gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eReaching 4–5 feet tall at maturity, these do well in all parts of Montana. A must for cold-climate growers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold-Hardy and Tough\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardy to Zone 2 (-40°F or more)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCurrent Plant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese shrubs are currently 3-5 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBloom photo by Al Schneider\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eAll \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e (currants and gooseberries) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust, and golden currant (\u003cem\u003eRibes aureum\u003c\/em\u003e) is named specifically in several state quarantines. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Delaware, New Hampshire, North Carolina, or Rhode Island\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships) and Michigan and New York (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Grossulariaceae- Ribes aureum (Golden Currant) - 37366172626” by Kristof Zyskowski \u0026amp; Yulia Bereshpolova, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Grossulariaceae-_Ribes_aureum_(Golden_Currant)_-_37366172626.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Grossulariaceae- Ribes aureum (Golden Currant) - cultivated” by Kristof Zyskowski \u0026amp; Yulia Bereshpolova, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Grossulariaceae-_Ribes_aureum_(Golden_Currant)_-_cultivated.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Ribesaureum1pl” by Aung, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ribesaureum1pl.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Ab plant 1315 (Ribes aureum)” by Andrey Butko, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ab_plant_1315_(Ribes_aureum).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Golden Currant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Golden Currant need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Golden Currant is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Plant all three together. Golden currant may set some fruit alone, but different seedlings pollenize each other for a better crop. Its early fragrant flowers are great spring bee food. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-velvet-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eBlack Velvet Gooseberry\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/captivator-gooseberry-bundle-of-2\"\u003eCaptivator Gooseberry\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hinnomakired\"\u003eHinnomaki Red Gooseberry\u003c\/a\u003e (Bundle of 2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Golden Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Golden Currant hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Golden Currant need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Golden currant blooms very early and probably needs less chill than black currants. Seedlings vary, so plant a few. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#golden-currant-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Golden Currant good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Golden Currant are jams and jellies (8\/10), feeding wildlife (8\/10), pollinators (8\/10), ornamental value (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Golden Currant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Golden Currant, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Golden Currant ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535321141314,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/golden-currant-ripe-orange-berries.jpg?v=1791615474"},{"product_id":"hawthorne-bundle-of-2","title":"Hawthorn (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is Arnold hawthorn (\u003cem\u003eCrataegus arnoldiana\u003c\/em\u003e), rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs another hawthorn nearby as a pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecies\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArnold hawthorn, \u003cem\u003eCrataegus arnoldiana\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (400 to 1,500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hawthorne-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. These are seedlings, so the plants in the bundle differ from each other. Plant them near one another for the best berry set. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#hawthorn\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (9\/10), pollinators (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), ornamental value (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Arnold hawthorn (\u003cem\u003eCrataegus arnoldiana\u003c\/em\u003e), a small, slow-growing, thorny tree that tops out around 15 to 20 feet. It's tough and adaptable and will grow in just about any soil you give it. It's proven itself on the northern plains, where the USDA's plant materials center in Bismarck, North Dakota released a seed strain of it for windbreaks and wildlife plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs It Native?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot technically. Arnold hawthorn comes from the Northeast, so it isn't native to Montana or anywhere in the West. Our native black hawthorn is what we'd rather be selling, and until we can start propagating it again, this one's serving as a placeholder. It's still a hardy hawthorn that feeds birds and pollinators the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Fruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is big for a hawthorn, bright red and over half an inch across, and it ripens in late summer. It's edible fresh and makes good jelly and syrup (spit out the seeds). Birds and other wildlife go after it, and the dense thorny branches give songbirds safe cover for nesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood for Wildlife and You\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit and flowers aren't just for wildlife. They have medicinal uses too. Hawthorn is known to be good for the heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Pollinator Magnet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent for attracting pollinators to your orchard. These trees will bring in native pollinators and help promote a healthy, diverse insect population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisease\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most hawthorns, it can get fireblight and cedar rust. Keep it away from junipers if you can.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Spring 2027 plants are roughly 2-3 ft. tall with a well established root system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Arnold hawthorn\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Arnold hawthorn need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It needs pollen from another hawthorn that blooms at about the same time. These are seedlings, so the plants in the bundle differ from each other. Plant them near one another for the best berry set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Arnold hawthorn?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Arnold hawthorn hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Arnold hawthorn need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 1,500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hawthorne-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs Arnold hawthorn native?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot to Montana or the West. It's from the Northeast. We're carrying it as a placeholder until we can start propagating our native black hawthorn again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Arnold hawthorn good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Arnold hawthorn are feeding wildlife (9\/10), pollinators (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), ornamental value (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Arnold hawthorn?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble it, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Arnold hawthorn ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. We guarantee our plants bud out. If one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42472436727874,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/hawthorn-berries-on-branch.webp?v=1789020135"},{"product_id":"hinnomakired","title":"Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and self-fertile, so one plant can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -35°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,200 hours (900 to 2,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hinnomakired\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Hinnonmaki Red sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHinnomaki Red is an introduction from Finland with outstanding flavor and high yields—our favorite of all the gooseberries we’ve tried. The small to medium bushes are upright and seem to possess a fair degree of disease resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdaptability in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for all parts of Montana’s climate, Hinnomaki Red is similar to most gooseberries in that they take very little to maintain—one of the few plants where we can honestly say the only time we spend on them is harvesting the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese have withstood -35°F in Kalispell without showing any signs of damage and even blossomed the following year. They can likely tolerate temperatures much lower. Hardy to -40°F or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePlant Size \u0026amp; Root Health\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese shrubs are 1–2 feet tall and have excellent root systems, with lots of fine root hairs to help them establish quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to New Hampshire or North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law. North Carolina prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide; New Hampshire permits only a short list of named rust-resistant cultivars, which does not include this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships) and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto: “Red Gooseberries, Hinnonmaki Red - geograph.org.uk - 6908791” by Jonathan Billinger, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Red_Gooseberries,_Hinnonmaki_Red_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6908791.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Hinnonmaki Red sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,200 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 900 and 2,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Finnish gooseberry with no measured chill figure. It likely needs a fair amount, but Montana winters supply far more than enough. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hinnomakired\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Hinnomaki Red Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42499224109122,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/hinnomaki-red-gooseberries-on-bush.jpg?v=1791615661"},{"product_id":"honeyberry-bundle-of-4","title":"Honeyberry (Bundle of 4) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeyberry is a honeyberry shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHaskap, blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (750 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Plant the whole bundle together: Aurora needs Tundra nearby to set fruit. If you add more honeyberries later, pick early-to-mid bloomers like Borealis or Indigo types, not the late Boreal series. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#honeyberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), juice and sweet cider (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince we tried a fresh Aurora Honeyberry during Montana State’s Western Ag. Research Center taste testing in July of 2019, we knew we had to grow it. Aurora consistently produces large berries, is easy to harvest, and demonstrates excellent flavor. Aurora is hardy to below -50°F. That said, a friend grows them in the Yukon, where temperatures dip below -65°F! He’s not so sure of the variety, but the point is, they’re tough and very well may grow in such extremes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur pollenizer for the Aurora is Tundra, which we have found to be extremely reliable. The flavor is almost as good as Aurora, although the berry size is slightly smaller and the berries are a hint more tart. They are however, precocious and hardy. Easily hardy to at least -50F, which we must depend on in cold climates if we want Aurora to survive and do well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle \u0026amp; Planting Instructions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries come in a bundle of 4, 3 Aurora and 1 pollenizer, Tundra. They must be planted together for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries are currently our larger grade and going on their fourth year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Haskap (honeyberry)” by karen_hine, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/55620187@N05\/18469129480\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Жимолость голубая ягоды Саратов” by ИринаЯ, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:%D0%96%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D1%8F%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%8B_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Blooming Lonicera caerulea” by WildBoar, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blooming_Lonicera_caerulea.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain; “Lonicera caerulea 2017” by Max071086, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Lonicera_caerulea_2017.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Honeyberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Honeyberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Honeyberry needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant the whole bundle together: Aurora needs Tundra nearby to set fruit. If you add more honeyberries later, pick early-to-mid bloomers like Borealis or Indigo types, not the late Boreal series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Honeyberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Honeyberry hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Honeyberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Aurora needs roughly 1,000 to 1,200 chill hours. Once that's met, haskaps wake fast in warm spells, so frost can catch early blooms. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#honeyberry-bundle-of-4\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Honeyberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Honeyberry are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Honeyberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Honeyberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Honeyberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3 Year Old Larger Grade: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra","offer_id":42611829145666,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/honeyberry-haskap-ripe-berries.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"horseradish-bunde-of-2","title":"Horseradish (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Horseradish is a perennial vegetable rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), needs no pollination, and it ripens about Sep 30 to Nov 9 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 200 hours (0 to 500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. That's low, so chill is never short here, but it can wake early in a midwinter warm spell. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#horseradish-bunde-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo Pollination Needed. Horseradish is grown for its root and planted from root cuttings, so it needs no pollination and rarely sets seed. Bees may visit the occasional white flowers, but it is not an orchard pollenizer. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#horseradish\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Nov 9 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerennial vegetable (8\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3 Root Cuttings. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best performing horseradish we have grown in Montana. Not much to say on flavor because most horseradish we have tried tastes the same. But we're no horseradish connoisseurs here. In terms of hardiness, this will survive down to at least -50F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting Horseradish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHarvest can begin the following year once enough root energy has been stored. The saying growing up for us was that you can harvest Horseradish roots in any month ending in \"r\". However, the colder one is, the harder it may be to harvest the roots once the frost layer is deep, so it is best to harvest the roots in September or October if you are zone 5 or colder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes with three healthy and good sized root cuttings. When planted, these will take off the first year and produce a good sized plant come end of the season. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Horseradish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Horseradish?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Horseradish hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Horseradish need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 200 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 0 and 500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Horseradish doesn't need much chill to regrow, but it does best where winters are cold enough to make it go fully dormant. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#horseradish-bunde-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Horseradish ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 30 to Nov 9 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Horseradish good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Horseradish are perennial vegetable (8\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), winter storage (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Horseradish?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Horseradish, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Horseradish ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3 Root Cuttings. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3 Root Cuttings","offer_id":42547482329154,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/horseradish-plant-leaves.webp?v=1789020347"},{"product_id":"jeanne-gooseberry-bundle-of-3","title":"Jeanne Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jeanne Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), self-fertile, so one plant can crop, and it ripens about Jul 16 to Jul 26 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (1,000 to 1,400). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jeanne-gooseberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 6 of 7 (late), very early spring here. Jeanne sets fruit on its own. It blooms one to two weeks after other gooseberries, which can help it miss late frosts. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 16 to Jul 26 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJeanne is a late-ripening, dark red dessert gooseberry with an unknown European pedigree. The genotype has been observed for 24 years at the USDA National Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon. Its origin prior to Corvallis is undocumented. Jeanne was named in honor of the late Ms. Cheryl Jeanne Gunning, who worked in the tissue culture laboratory of the NCGR from 1981 to 1985.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHigh Yield \u0026amp; Organic-Friendly\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe yield from ‘Jeanne’ is higher than many other gooseberry plants. When the USDA released it in 2005, they noted, \"We expect that this cultivar will be good for organic production because of its pest resistance and very good fruit quality.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to sub -40°F temperatures, Jeanne is a great choice for colder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size \u0026amp; Root System\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Jeanne Gooseberry plants have a nice root system (lots of fine root hairs) and are, on average, 1-2 ft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to New Hampshire or North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law. North Carolina prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide; New Hampshire permits only a short list of named rust-resistant cultivars, which does not include this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships) and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Jeanne itself. Photos of Jeanne are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Røde Stikkelsbær” by Øyvind Holmstad, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:R%C3%B8de_Stikkelsb%C3%A6r.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Jeanne Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Jeanne Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Jeanne Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Jeanne sets fruit on its own. It blooms one to two weeks after other gooseberries, which can help it miss late frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Jeanne Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Jeanne Gooseberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Jeanne Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 1,000 and 1,400. That comes from published figures for this variety. Jeanne needs at least 1,000 chill hours and blooms a week or two after other gooseberries, which helps it dodge late frosts. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jeanne-gooseberry-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Jeanne Gooseberry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 16 to Jul 26 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Jeanne Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Jeanne Gooseberry are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Jeanne Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Jeanne Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Jeanne Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42472437448770,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/dark-red-gooseberries-representative.jpg?v=1791615759"},{"product_id":"pixwell-gooseberry","title":"Pixwell Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pixwell Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and self-fertile, so one plant can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,500). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#pixwell-gooseberry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Pixwell sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eOne of our favorite cold climate shrubs for the fruit and ease of maintenance, Pixwell produces a medium sized gooseberry that is perfect for pies, jellies, and especially fresh of the shrub on a hot summer day. Pixwell has some tartness and when left on the shrub for longer, the berries turn slightly pink and generate a higher brix (more sugars) to balance the tartness. Can be planted in all parts of Montana. Zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eSelf-fertile but plant two different varieties for larger fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to New Hampshire or North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law. North Carolina prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide; New Hampshire permits only a short list of named rust-resistant cultivars, which does not include this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships) and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto: “PI 556056 'Pixwell' (Ribes uva-crispa), fruit photo rib0220.001.pixwell.fruit1.2007” by USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon (GRIN-Global), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1451028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Pixwell Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Pixwell Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Pixwell Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Pixwell sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Pixwell Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Pixwell Gooseberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Pixwell Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,500. That comes from published figures for this variety. About 1,000 chill hours. Grows anywhere in Montana; it's mild-winter areas where gooseberries come up short on chill. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#pixwell-gooseberry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Pixwell Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Pixwell Gooseberry are pies and baking (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Pixwell Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Pixwell Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Pixwell Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42547513491522,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pixwell-gooseberries-on-bush.jpg?v=1791616155"},{"product_id":"ponderosa-pine-bundle-of-3","title":"Ponderosa Pine (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ponderosa Pine is a pine tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°F), wind-pollinated, and it ripens about Aug 24 to Sep 19 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 7. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,200 hours (700 to 2,000). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ponderosa-pine-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWind-Pollinated. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring to early summer here. Ponderosa pine is wind-pollinated and outcrossing, so planting the three seedlings together helps cone and seed set. It offers no nectar for bees and is not an orchard pollenizer. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#ponderosa-pine\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 24 to Sep 19 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), wood (8\/10), ornamental value (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 7-15\". Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePonderosa, or “P Pine” as we call it locally, is the largest of the Western Pine species. While often thought of as a \"mountain tree,\" Ponderosa Pines can also be found in the western Great Plains and rocky mountain terrain, thriving on sites that are relatively dry and nutrient-poor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDistinctive Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese trees are characterized by needles in clusters of two or three, ranging from five to ten inches long. Their bark starts as brown to black, but with age, it turns yellowish-brown to cinnamon, with scaly plates separated by deep, irregular furrows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCones and Growth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePonderosas bear cones that are three to six inches long and two inches wide, with sharp points on the ends of the scales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eDrought Tolerant and Important for Wildlife\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eExtremely drought-tolerant, Ponderosa Pines are crucial for supporting wildlife habitat, native bird and insect populations, and even creating fossil water. \u003cspan\u003eHardy to \u003c\/span\u003ezone 1\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCurrent Stock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese trees are bare root and range from 7 inches to 1.5 ft. tall. Due to their slow-growing nature, they are actually going into their fifth year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Pinus ponderosa subsp ponderosa, Thompson-Nicola, BC, Canada 9” by ellyne, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pinus_ponderosa_subsp_ponderosa,_Thompson-Nicola,_BC,_Canada_9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Ponderosa Pine Trees” by Treefender BC, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ponderosa_Pine_Trees.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Pinus ponderosa subsp. ponderosa cones and shoots 1” by Crusier, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pinus_ponderosa_subsp._ponderosa_cones_and_shoots_1.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Pinus ponderosa subsp ponderosa, Knox Mountain Park, Kelowna, British Columbia 2” by calebcatto, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pinus_ponderosa_subsp_ponderosa,_Knox_Mountain_Park,_Kelowna,_British_Columbia_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY 4.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Ponderosa Pine\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Ponderosa Pine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Ponderosa Pine hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Ponderosa Pine need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,200 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 2,000. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Ponderosa seedlings start breaking bud after about 700 chill hours but leaf out fastest after around 2,000. Cold interior winters cover both. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#ponderosa-pine-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Ponderosa Pine ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 24 to Sep 19 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Ponderosa Pine good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Ponderosa Pine are feeding wildlife (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), wood (8\/10), ornamental value (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Ponderosa Pine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Ponderosa Pine, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Ponderosa Pine ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 7-15\". We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"7-15\"","offer_id":42535408500802,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/ponderosa-pine-cone-needles.jpg?v=1791615967"},{"product_id":"rhubarb","title":"Rhubarb (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), needs no pollination, and it ripens about May 9 to Jun 29 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePie plant (Rheum x hybridum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,250 hours (1,000 to 1,500). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#rhubarb\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo Pollination Needed. Rhubarb is grown for its leaf stalks, which need no pollination, and extension advice is to cut off flower stalks as soon as they appear. If left, bees will visit the flowers, but rhubarb is not an orchard pollenizer. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#rhubarb\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout May 9 to Jun 29 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), perennial vegetable (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), wine (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, Large 3 Yr. Crowns. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWe have two selection of cold hardy rhubarb, Canadian Red and Crimson Red. These varieties have done exceedingly well not only in western Montana where they have both survived temps between -30F and -40F, but also east of the divide where temps can dip below -40F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardy to -50F or more, these are both bullet proof. A bundle of 2 comes with one Canadian Red and Crimson Beauty. The crowns are very large and are going on their third year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Rhubarb\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Rhubarb?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Rhubarb hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Rhubarb need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,250 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500. That comes from USDA and Oregon State: crowns need about 7 to 9 weeks below 50°F to end their winter rest, and a few days of hard freeze won't do it. Short, mild winters give weak spring stalks. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#rhubarb\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Rhubarb ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout May 9 to Jun 29 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Rhubarb good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Rhubarb are pies and baking (9\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), perennial vegetable (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Rhubarb?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Rhubarb, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Rhubarb ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: Large 3 Yr. Crowns. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Crimson Red: Large 3 Yr. Crowns","offer_id":42547396608066,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Canada Red: Large 3 Yr. Crowns","offer_id":42547396640834,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/rhubarb-plant-in-garden.webp?v=1789021037"},{"product_id":"invicta-gooseberry","title":"Invicta Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Invicta Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), self-fertile, so one plant can crop, and it ripens about Jul 9 to Jul 19 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,200 hours (900 to 2,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#invicta-gooseberry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Invicta sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Jul 9 to Jul 19 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-18\" 3rd Year Plants. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvicta Gooseberry (often sold as Malling Invicta) is a European gooseberry selected for high productivity, large green fruit, and strong disease resistance—especially against powdery mildew. From the research available, it traces back to breeding work in England (East Malling), where it entered cultivation as part of modern gooseberry improvement efforts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom published germplasm and pomology references, Invicta is described as coming from East Malling breeding in England and is associated with a multi-parent background that includes classic gooseberry lines such as Resistenta, Whinham’s Industry, and Keepsake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvicta is known for very high yields of large fruit (which is large for a gooseberry!) and a flavor that works well both fresh and processed. We've had consistent crops every year in Missoula. It's excellent when fully ripe and the fruit come on around Mid-July here in Missoula. It also excels for pies, jams, sauces, and other cooked uses where gooseberries really shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor an “absolute extreme winter low” figure for what Invicta has survived down to, the most explicit cultivar-specific claim we found repeatedly in nursery cultivar specs is that Invicta is hardy to about \u003cstrong\u003e−40°F\u003c\/strong\u003e, which corresponds to a solid \u003cstrong\u003eZone 3\u003c\/strong\u003e shrub in practical planning terms. That said, it may be even hardier than this, but we don't exactly know. Invicta will therefore work in most of Western Montana. As it goes for the Eastern part of the state, it is likely that Invicta would survive most areas, but still plant in areas free of frost pooling (up on a bench and certainly out of depressions or lower elevation sites on your property).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvicta is vigorous and thorny, and it’s often recommended for training\/trellising and regular pruning to keep picking manageable and improve airflow. Its heavy bearing tendency and mildew resistance are big reasons it became so widely planted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShrubs are 6-18\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to New Hampshire or North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its sale or importation is prohibited by state law. North Carolina prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide; New Hampshire permits only a short list of named rust-resistant cultivars, which does not include this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships) and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Invicta Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Invicta Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Invicta Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Invicta sets fruit on its own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can give larger fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Invicta Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Invicta Gooseberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Invicta Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,200 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 900 and 2,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#invicta-gooseberry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Invicta Gooseberry ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Jul 9 to Jul 19 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Invicta Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Invicta Gooseberry are pies and baking (8\/10), sauce and butter (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), cooking and roasting (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Invicta Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Invicta Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Invicta Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 6-18\" 3rd Year Plants. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"6-18\" 3rd Year Plants","offer_id":42547486720066,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/invicta-gooseberry-on-bush.jpg?v=1789020347"},{"product_id":"jahns-prairie-gooseberry","title":"Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry is a gooseberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and self-fertile, so one plant can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (700 to 1,500). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jahns-prairie-gooseberry\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), very early spring here. Gooseberries set fruit on their own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can help fruit size. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/currant-gooseberry-pollination-chart\"\u003eCurrant \u0026amp; Gooseberry Pollination Chart\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 3 to 4 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1-2 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: One of our newer gooseberries so this information is all second hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJahn’s Prairie Gooseberry is a cold-climate gooseberry selection collected from the wild in Alberta, Canada (often attributed to Otto L. Jahn). It’s widely described as a vigorous, upright, high-yielding plant with very good disease resistance, making it a dependable choice for growers who want a tough, productive gooseberry without fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJahn’s Prairie produces large, reddish-pink to dark pink berries with a sweet-tart flavor. From what is commonly reported, it’s good fresh when fully ripe and especially well suited for pies, jams, sauces, and other preserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are generally described as compact to moderately sized, often around 2–4 feet tall and about as wide, with an upright habit compared to many gooseberries. A practical spacing is about 3–4 feet between plants (wider if you want easier picking access and airflow). Thorns are present, so spacing that allows you to work around the shrub comfortably is worthwhile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross multiple nursery and grower references, the most specific and repeatedly stated mid-winter minimum is that Jahn’s Prairie (and gooseberries generally) are hardy to about −40°F. This aligns with consistent Zone 3 placement. In other words, based on the most explicit claims available online, −40°F is the best-supported “survive down to” figure for mid-winter extremes. That said, it may be even hardier than this, but we don't exactly know. Jahn's Prairie will therefore work in most of Western Montana. As it goes for the Eastern part of the state, it is likely that Jahn's Prairie would survive most areas (certainly near Billings and the surrounding warmer valleys), but still plant in areas free of frost pooling (up on a bench and certainly out of depressions or lower elevation sites on your property).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notable Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJahn’s Prairie is frequently highlighted for strong no-spray viability, good mildew resistance, and reliable annual crops. It also tolerates partial shade better than many fruiting shrubs, though best yields still come with good light and decent airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShrubs are currently 1-2 ft. tall\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: white pine blister rust quarantine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eGooseberries and currants (\u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e species) are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to North Carolina\u003c\/strong\u003e, which prohibits all \u003cem\u003eRibes\u003c\/em\u003e statewide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePermit or county-level restrictions also apply in:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Hampshire, where ‘Jahns Prairie’ is on the state’s approved rust-resistant cultivar list but still requires a permit from the Division of Forests \u0026amp; Lands before planting; Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and West Virginia (prohibited in specific counties or townships); and Delaware, Michigan, and Rhode Island (state permit required). Please check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Gooseberries set fruit on their own, so one plant will crop. A second gooseberry variety nearby can help fruit size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 700 and 1,500. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. A wild Alberta gooseberry. Chill has never been measured, but it comes from a far colder winter than ours. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#jahns-prairie-gooseberry\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Jahn's Prairie Gooseberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1-2 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"1-2 ft.","offer_id":42547487637570,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/jahns-prairie-gooseberry-on-bush.jpg?v=1789020384"},{"product_id":"montana-trial-pawpaw","title":"Montana Trial Pawpaw (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montana Trial Pawpaw is a pawpaw tree rated hardy to zone 4 in our ratings (winters to -30°F), and self-incompatible, so plant two genetically different plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePawpaw, paw paw, Indiana banana (Asimina triloba)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 4, colder half included (winters to -30°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 400 hours (300 to 800). Seedlings vary, so this is based on the parent tree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#montana-trial-pawpaw\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Incompatible - Plant Two Genotypes. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Plant both seedlings together, since a pawpaw needs pollen from a genetically different tree. Flies and beetles do the work poorly, so hand-pollinating with a small brush helps. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#pawpaw\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely bothered by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA Hardy Michigan Seed Source\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese pawpaws come from a hardy seed source selected out of Michigan. The parentage is wild seedlings, selected mainly for precocity, and these come from the best performing and most prolific bearing trees of the bunch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have yet to try the fruit ourselves, but the folks who harvested the seed say they are very tasty. Are they as good as some of the named varieties? Perhaps not. But because these are some of the most northern grown pawpaws out there, we think these seedlings will be decently hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey should be hardy down to at least -30°F. They came through our -26°F on 1\/12\/2024 without any winter injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether these will survive beyond -30°F is anyone's guess. They perhaps could in a protected spot with good air drainage, but even so, perhaps not much colder than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy We Call It a Trial\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are still trialing these, so we will update this with more information as time goes on. Could be worth a trial, hence the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage is a USDA public domain image (not from our trees because they have yet to fruit). Our trees are still young and have been mainly tested for winter hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Montana Trial Pawpaw\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Montana Trial Pawpaw?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Montana Trial Pawpaw hardy to zone 4, which means winters down to about -30°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Montana Trial Pawpaw need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 400 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 300 and 800. Seedlings vary, so that's based on the parent, Michigan-source Asimina triloba. Pawpaw needs roughly 400 chill hours, which Montana always delivers. Summer heat and season length are the real limits here. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#montana-trial-pawpaw\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Montana Trial Pawpaw good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Montana Trial Pawpaw are feeding wildlife (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Montana Trial Pawpaw?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Deer seldom bother Montana Trial Pawpaw, though a hungry winter deer will try almost anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Montana Trial Pawpaw ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-4 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-4 ft.","offer_id":42500892819522,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pawpaw-fruit-on-branch.jpg?v=1789020640"},{"product_id":"purple-lilac-bundle-of-3","title":"Purple Lilac (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple Lilac is a lilac shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and needs no pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (300 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#purple-lilac-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo Pollination Needed. Lilac is grown for its flowers, which open without any pollination, so one plant or three is fine. Butterflies and some bees visit the blooms, but lilac is not an orchard pollenizer. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#lilac\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrnamental value (9\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), pollinators (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple lilac is a classic cold-hardy ornamental shrub valued for its fragrance, resilience, and timeless beauty. It is one of the most reliable flowering shrubs for northern climates and will thrive in nearly all of Montana, from valley bottoms to more exposed sites. With its combination of hardiness, ornamental appeal, and utility, purple lilac remains a cornerstone plant in cold-climate landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLilacs are native to southeastern Europe and parts of western Asia and have been cultivated for centuries for their fragrance and spring display. Purple-flowering forms, in particular, became widely planted across northern Europe and North America as settlers sought long-lived, dependable ornamentals that could withstand severe winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple lilac grows as a multi-stemmed, upright to rounded shrub, typically reaching 8–12 feet tall and wide over time. It forms a dense framework of woody stems and responds well to periodic renewal pruning. Relative to its size, it is a long-lived shrub, often persisting for decades with minimal care once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Adaptability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple lilac is hardy to at least −50°F and is well suited to nearly all of Montana. It tolerates cold winters, wind, and a wide range of soils, making it one of the most adaptable ornamental shrubs for the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrnamental \u0026amp; Landscape Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLilacs are best known for their showy, fragrant purple blossoms that bloom in spring. They provide strong seasonal interest and are commonly used as specimen shrubs, informal hedges, or mass plantings. Because of their dense growth habit and durability, purple lilacs also make an excellent windbreak, especially in exposed or open landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCulinary \u0026amp; Practical Uses of Blossoms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blossoms are edible and have a long history of culinary use. Lilac flowers can be used to infuse syrups, sugars, jellies, and beverages, adding a delicate floral aroma. As with all edible flowers, they are best used fresh and in moderation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCut Flowers \u0026amp; Seasonal Enjoyment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the great joys of lilacs is harvesting them for cut flowers. In Missoula, cutting a fresh bouquet each spring once the blossoms are ready is a seasonal ritual. Properly harvested stems fill a room with fragrance and bring the landscape indoors during lilac season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy We Love Lilacs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple lilacs combine extreme cold hardiness, beauty, fragrance, usefulness, and longevity in a way few shrubs can. Whether planted for ornament, as a windbreak, or simply for the pleasure of spring bouquets, they are a dependable and rewarding addition to northern landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are 3-5 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Purple Lilac\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Purple Lilac?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Purple Lilac hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Purple Lilac need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 300 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. Common lilac needs a long, cold winter to bloom well, roughly 800 hours. Mild-winter gardeners should look for low-chill types. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#purple-lilac-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Purple Lilac good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Purple Lilac are ornamental value (9\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), pollinators (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Purple Lilac?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Purple Lilac, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Purple Lilac ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535327105090,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/purple-lilac-blossoms.jpg?v=1789020871"},{"product_id":"sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5","title":"Sea Buckthorn (Bundle of 5) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sea Buckthorn is a sea buckthorn shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and dioecious, with separate male and female plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeaberry, seabuckthorn, Siberian pineapple (Hippophae rhamnoides)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDioecious - Needs Male and Female. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Sea buckthorn plants are either male or female, and only females fruit. Plant all five together so you almost certainly get both; males supply pollen by wind. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#sea-buckthorn\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 6 to 10 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil building (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese sea buckthorn seedlings (\u003cem\u003eHippophae rhamnoides\u003c\/em\u003e) are exceptionally hardy, nitrogen-fixing shrubs valued for their bright orange, nutrient-dense berries, wind tolerance, and ability to thrive in poor soils. This offering is a bundle of five seed-grown plants, from a super hardy seed source from North Dakota, ideal for establishing a productive planting with built-in pollination odds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn is native to a broad region spanning Europe and Asia, where it has long been used for food, medicine, land restoration, and erosion control. It has been widely planted in cold, dry, and marginal landscapes due to its extreme resilience, deep roots, and ability to improve soil through nitrogen fixation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemale plants produce clusters of vivid orange berries that are extremely rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids. The berries are tart and acidic when fresh, and are most commonly used for juice, syrups, jams, sauces, oils, and fermented products. Can be eaten fresh but they're pretty tart for most. Male plants do not produce fruit but are essential for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn forms a vigorous, multi-stemmed shrub, typically reaching 8–12 feet tall and wide, though size varies with site and pruning. Plants spread via suckers and are well suited to hedgerows, shelterbelts, and restoration plantings. Spacing of 6–10 feet between plants is common, depending on whether a dense hedge or more open planting is desired. Full sun and well-drained soils are preferred, but the plant tolerates drought, wind, cold, and low fertility extremely well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. Pollination is wind-driven, not insect-based, so having at least one male nearby is essential for fruit production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plants are grown from seed, which means there is no fixed male-to-female ratio in any given bundle. However, in large populations, seed-grown sea buckthorn naturally averages about 50% male and 50% female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the sex of seedlings cannot be determined until they flower, the ratio within a bundle of five is random. Statistically, each seedling has a 50% chance of being male and a 50% chance of being female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo put the odds in practical terms:\u003cbr\u003eThe probability that all five seedlings are female is (0.5)⁵, or 3.125%.\u003cbr\u003eThat means the probability that a bundle of five contains at least one male is 96.875%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn real-world terms, almost every bundle of five will include a male, making this an effective and practical way to establish a fruiting planting from seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummary:\u003cbr\u003eSeedling ratio: roughly 50\/50 male–female\u003cbr\u003eOdds your bundle of five includes at least one male: ~97%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn is extremely cold-hardy and can survive into the -40°F range once established. It is also highly tolerant of wind exposure and winter desiccation, making it one of the most reliable fruiting shrubs for harsh, continental climates. Great shelter belt as well. Zone 2. Will survive in the vast majority of Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are 3-5 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: state invasive plant law\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eSea buckthorn (\u003cem\u003eHippophae rhamnoides\u003c\/em\u003e) is named on Maine’s list of invasive plants prohibited from sale or import. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Maine\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eSea buckthorn suckers freely and spreads by seed. Please check your own state and county noxious-weed list before planting, and site it where suckering can be managed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Sea Buckthorn\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Sea Buckthorn?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Sea Buckthorn hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Sea Buckthorn need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Built for cold, windy continental winters. Chill won't limit it in the North; late frosts after early growth can. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Sea Buckthorn good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Sea Buckthorn are soil building (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Sea Buckthorn?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Sea Buckthorn, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Sea Buckthorn ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535344308290,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/sea-buckthorn-berries-on-branch.jpg?v=1789021038"},{"product_id":"cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3","title":"Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle is a blueberry shrub rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and partially self-fertile, so a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1,000 hours (800 to 1,200). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartially Self-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), mid spring here. Plant all three together. Chippewa can fruit alone but gives bigger berries with a partner, and Polaris or St. Cloud needs a second variety, which the bundle supplies. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#blueberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), ornamental value (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle Composition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 'Cold Climate Blueberry Bundles' consist of 2 Chippewa and 1 other pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollenizer Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pollenizer is a mix of either Polaris, St. Cloud, or Brunswick. Chippewa, Polaris and St. Cloud are all half-high (roughly chest height), as they are a cross between low-bush and highbush. The Brunswick is slightly smaller but only because this is a lowbush blueberry, and won't achieve the same height as the half-high blueberries, but also serves as a great pollenizer for the Chippewa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of hardiness, these blueberries are all hardy to -40F, and should be good for the warmer valleys in Western Montana (and eastern Montana such as valley near Billings), as well as areas that are up and out of the frost. Curious if these can survive -45F or more but they very well may. However, we are being a little cautious without knowing for sure. These are zone 3 blueberries and would be experimental in zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAge \u0026amp; Productivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are all going on their fourth year, are very well rooted, and will potentially bear the year of planting or the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAdditional photo: “Maturing blueberry” by Dladek, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Maturing_blueberry.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt helps. Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle is partially self-fertile, so it can set some fruit alone, but a second variety nearby makes crops more dependable. Plant all three together. Chippewa can fruit alone but gives bigger berries with a partner, and Polaris or St. Cloud needs a second variety, which the bundle supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1,000 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 800 and 1,200. That comes from published figures for this variety. These Minnesota half-highs need a long, cold winter, roughly 1,000 hours. They're a poor bet in mild-winter areas. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle are fresh eating (8\/10), canning and freezing (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Large Size: 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa","offer_id":43081162817602,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chippewa-blueberry-fruit.jpg?v=1789019810"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/deer-resistance.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}