The variety is self-fertile, mid-season, the bush is slightly spreading, but quite powerful, reaches up to 1.5 m in height, the main advantage of this variety is large yellowish-green spherical, weighing 13-15 cm, heavily pubescent berries with red dots.

Black Velvet is a mid season vigorous variety of gooseberry with a spreading habit. The berries are a dark red/plum colour with a pleasant mix of sweet and tart when ripe. Yields are high of small to medium sized fruits.