Plant Database
shrub

Red Currant

Ribes sativum

 

 
Red Currant (Ribes sativum) at GardenWorks

Red Currant fruit

Red Currant fruit

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  4 feet

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  3a

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

Edible Qualities

Red Currant is a small shrub that is commonly grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. It produces clusters of red round berries which are usually ready for picking from early to mid summer. The berries have a tart taste and a juicy texture.

The berries are most often used in the following ways:

  • Preserves
  • Wine-Making

Features & Attributes

Red Currant has rich green deciduous foliage on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The lobed leaves turn yellow in fall. It features an abundance of magnificent red berries in early summer.

This 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 plant 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

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Red Currant is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

  • Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

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 is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This shrub is quite ornamental as well as edible, and is as much at home in a landscape or flower garden as it is in a designated edibles garden. It 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.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Orchard 
Applications
Fruit  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features


Disclaimer - This resource is provided for informational purposes only and does NOT reflect current availability. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact your favourite GardenWorks location directly for current availability. It does not include our entire inventory of plants, so be sure to visit GardenWorks to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.