Whitman Farms is selling a new gooseberry cultivar named Jeanne which seems very promising.Following is a discription of the plant: The Agricultural Research Service announces the naming and release of a disease and pest resistant, high quality, dark-red, dessert gooseberry cultivar, JEANNE. Ribes uva-crispa L. cv. JEANNE is a late-ripening, dark red, dessert gooseberry with an unknown mixed European/American gooseberry pedigree. This plant was tested under the selection number O. T. 126, CRIB 11, ad PI 555830, which was donated to the USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in 1981 from the Ribes collection maintained in collaboration between USDA and Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture, in Corvallis, Oregon. JEANNE should be suitable for commercial gooseberry production or home plantings. Flowers and Fruit In Corvallis, Oregon, JEANNE is a late blooming, late-ripening, dark red gooseberry. In most years, first leaf occurs in late March, full bloom occurs mid- to late-April, seven days to two weeks later than 'Malling Invicta' or 'Captivator'. The flowers are Plant JEANNE has an upright growth habit with some sprawling lower branches. Plants grow to a moderate size of about 1m x 1 m. The leaves are glossy green in spring and summer. Some branches have an occasional single spine per node. The spines are about 0.9 cm. Fruit Quality The fruit taste is full and sweet, improved over 'Captivator'. Fruit quality measurements for mid-July 2005 are as follows: pH = 3.3, titratable acidity = 1.85 g citric acid/100g berries, and oBrix =16.6, total anthocyanins = 19.7 mg/100g berries (expressed as cyanidin-3-glucoside), total phenolics = 128.4 mg/100g berries (expressed as gallic acid equivalents). Disease and Insect Resistance The leaves and fruits of JEANNE are highly resistant to powdery mildew, caused by Sphaerotheca mors-uva (Schwein). Berk. & Curt. In 1995, JEANNE was rated 1 (1 = most resistant, 9 = most susceptible) to mildew on both shoots and fruits, while 'Captivator' was rated 2 on both; 'Malling Invicta' was rated 2 for shoot mildew and 3 for fruit mildew; 'Careless' was rated 8 for shoot mildew and 9 for fruit mildew. Over the years JEANNE has remained at rating 1 for shoot and fruit mildew in Corvallis. The leaves of JEANNE are also highly resistant to white pine blister rust, caused by Cronartium ribicola Fisher. Between 1995 and 2005, no uredia formed on JEANNE under natural infection in Corvallis, Oregon. A few uredia formed on leaves of this plant after artificial inoculation in the field with 20,000 spores/ml. In Corvallis, damage from aphids or defoliation from sawflies (Pachynematus spp.) was less severe on JEANNE than in other European gooseberries. In 1995, 1996 and 1997 JEANNE was rated 1 (least affected) for sawflies, while other gooseberries, such as 'Jubilee Careless', were rated 9 (severe defoliation). .Black leaf spot, caused by Drepanopeziza ribis (Kleb.) Hohn, is visible on some leaves in summer, but does not appear to cause plant damage. Propagation JEANNE can be propagated by hardwood cuttings taken after 1000 hours of chilling has been received, or by softwood cuttings taken after bloom is finished when new growth snaps when bent sharply. The rooting percentage of cuttings is usually improved from liquid application of auxin. JEANNE was named in honor of the late Ms. Cheryl Jeanne Gunning, who worked in the tissue culture laboratory of the Corvallis Repository from 1981 to 1985. Genetic material of this release is deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System, USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository at Corvallis, Oregon, where it will be available for research purposes, including development and commercialization of new cultivars. Limited quantities of JEANNE cuttings or rooted plants are available from: Curator, USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository, 33447 Peoria Road, Corvallis, OR 97333-2521. The Agricultural Research Service does not have plants for commercial sale.

You know, I would just replant a mayten. I've seen them flourish in Santa Rosa, where it gets colder than Sac, and they looked great even after the all-time lows of 1990. Yours was probably too young, and a freeze like this year's is statistically unlikely for another ten years, so you'd have a good chance of getting it to a good size before then. It sounds like it fits your needs and really should be doing okay in the area. I'm not so apt to give up on something so fast. Also, consider whether or not it is really dead or has just lost leaves this year.

If you can post a picture it would help folks give you better advice. Just off of what you said, it does sound like it got too much water. Soft yellow leaves that fall off easily is a classic symptom of over watering, or soil that stays too wet. If the stems are still green, it should leaf out at some point. But the light it's getting now might not be enough light to do it. Can you put it back outside now? Gradually of course, over the course of a week or two, as it's not used to full sun yet. I can't advise you on what to do about summer rain though, it doesn't rain here in the summer. But I'm sure some other members can help you with that, and the soil issue. If there's green, there's hope! ; )

An artist; who is so humble and kind, don't feel alone Dave --- all my neighbors thinks I'm crazy too. Just another name for true genius; I get the last laugh, because for the last 5 years -- I have over a half dozen neighbors (just on our block -- both side of the street) redoing their entire yard to conifers and Japanese maples. (LOL). They bug me about names? Where to buy? How to plant? I send them all to West Seattle Nursery and give them to specific people that work there, to see and talk with. The owner is a friend of mine for over 30 years; since when he first open up, he needs the customer now more than ever -- they nearly had to shut down last year due to the property owner of the small lot wasn't going to renew his lease/wanted to sell out to developers (Mark would have to lay off over 30 people and I would have to commute 30 minutes to an hour to the next nearest nursery). In debt to the hilt; so I enjoy sending these new neighbors to spend at West Seattle Nursery --- so keep up the great work, you're inspirational. My husband started telling new, snooty neighbors to leave $20.00 - $50.00 in our lock mail box to view the garden -- it will go to a good cause!!! (LOL). Cheers, p.s.: thank you for sharing with this crazy addicts and teaching some of your experiences and knowledge. You're a Pro and Master as far as I'm concern -- how did Dax put it "Artistry and Mastery" Pruning included!"