CURRANTS
(Ribes species) The uniquet sweet-tart taste of currants has been cherished for many years in Europe. Currants are not well known to American gardeners. Red currants are among the most beautiful
of fruits. Their bright, shiny red clusters enhance any dish to which they are added. Amazing but true: black currants
have 5 times the Vitamin C content of oranges by weight. Black Currants have a strong flavor that is highly prized
in Europe. Most Americans don’t like their taste eaten fresh. However, they are excellent used in making jams,
syrups or dried as ‘raisins’.
RESTRICTIONS: State laws prohibit our shipping Currants
or Gooseberries to Delaware, Maine, N. Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, or West Virginia. Black Currants
may not be sent to the states mentioned above, as well as Massachusetts, Montana, Ohio and Rhode Island.
USEFUL FACTS
POLLINATION: Self-pollinating,
PLANT SPACING: 4 feet apart.
SIZE AT MATURITY: 3-5 feet tall.
HARDINESS: USDA Zones 3-8
EXPOSURE: Sun or partial shade.
ORIGIN: Europe.
YEARS TO FIRST FRUIT: Two.
RIPENING: Late June, early July.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 to 30 yrs.
METHOD OF PROPAGATION: Cuttings stuck in the ground in November.
YIELD: Bushes are almost covered with fruit. Up to 10 pounds
per bush.
HOW TO GROW
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: pH of 5 to 7, prefers good garden loam
but will tolerate heavy or sandy soils.
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS: Mulch with
manure or compost, apply nitrogen sparingly. Requires annual pruning of old canes. Fruit is born on new wood.
PRUNING: Renew black currants to new shoots. Some growers
cut new plants to the ground to allow many new shoots to start or plant the bush deeper
so main shoots start at ground level. Prune red and white currants like gooseberries.
Prune annually to maintain large berry size. Cut out wood more than 3 years old.
HOW TO USE CURRANTS
IN THE LANDSCAPE: Use as a foundation planting, in containers,
espaliers, in the perennial borders or in hedges.
IN THE KITCHEN: Red Currants are prized in jams, jellies
and streudels. Black Currants, in juices, syrups, jellies and liqueurs. White Imperials are prized in used car lots.
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