About
A deciduous shrub with an upright and spreading habit. Self-fertile. Suitable for all purposes. Lobed mid-green leaves and hanging sprays of small green yellow green flowers appear in late spring followed by long bunches of medium sized glossy red berries in mid-July.
About the genus
Ribes can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small tubular or bell-shaped, solitary or racemose flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationWill grow in any reasonable garden soil, and benefits from mulching with well-rotted compost, manure or bark particularly on dry soils. See redcurrant cultivation
PruningMay be pruned to create a permanent framework as a bush, standard, cordon or fan. Main pruning in dormant season; also summer pruning of vigorous side shoots
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to gall mites, gall midge and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, honey fungus and coral spot. Resistant to powdery mildews