Scientific name: Ribes rubrum
Family: GROSSULARIACEAE
Common names: “Red currant”
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Conditions:
Zone: 3-9
Light: Full sun – part shade
Exposure: Shelter from strong winds and frost pockets
Soil: Organically rich fertile soil
Moisture: Evenly moist – average well drained
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 5-7′ W 3-5′
Leaf and Stem shape: Large, soft green, palmately lobed leaves
Flower: Insignificant, pale green flowers followed by red, juicy edible, round red-white fruit
Pruning: Once established, prune out stems older than 3 years in favour of younger shoots to increase fruit yield
Maintenance: Low – medium, enjoys a good organic mulch over the root zone
Landscape use: Hedge, wildlife garden, edible
Propagate: By cuttings
Pests & Disease: In wet conditions they are susceptible to anthracnose, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot, also all Ribes spp. are alternate hosts for a rust which affects white pines
Comments: Delicious edible berries, red fruiting species attract many birds while species bearing white berries may be overlooked, avoid planting currants in locations where white pines are growing unless rust-immune cultivars are used, currently banned in 14 states to prevent the spread of white pine rust, plants are self fertile
Cultivars: ~AGM winning culinary cvs’:
R. r. ‘Red Lake’ – Sweet, dark red berries
R. r. ‘Jonkheer Van Tets’ – Heavy crops of large berries
R. r. ‘Stanza’ – Compact shrub with heavy crops
R. r. ‘White Grapes’ – Large shrub producing white berries
