They are probably not worth trying in southern California. except at high elevations. With proper attention gooseberries can be grown in containers. Gooseberries are deciduous shrubs, fast growing under optimum conditions to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The plant is suitable for training as a standard. American types have weeping stems that will root wherever they touch the ground and can be invasive.
Annual growth is in a single flush in spring.
The roots are superficial, fine and easily damaged by frequent cultivation. The buds perk up early in the spring, dotting the stems with green when most other plants are still tawny. The stems are thin, becoming woody, with a large thorn at each axil. American gooseberry stems are densely bristly, with one or more additional thorns at each axil. Leaf size and number are reduced under heat or light stress, and are easily burned by intense sunlight.