Red Currant

Other Names: Redcurrant, White Currant, Pink Currant

Description:

A medium-sized shrub grown for its tart red berries in summer, good for jam; quite stiff and upright, becoming looser with age; best for a reserved spot in the orchard or fruit garden, can be susceptible to mildew so allow for good air movement

Ornamental Features:

Red Currant has green foliage throughout the season. The lobed leaves turn yellow in fall. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. It features an abundance of magnificent red berries in early summer, which are excellent for making jams and jellies. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit. The smooth brown bark is not particularly outstanding.

Landscape Attributes:

Red Currant is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Red Currant is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Plant Characteristics:

Red Currant will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.

This species is not originally from North America.