About

An upright deciduous pink currant bush, small greenish white flowers in spring are followed by long strings of attractive transulcent pink currants. Fruits can be eaten straight from the bush or used in desserts and preserves.

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, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeFruit Edible
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. Full sun is preferred, but partial shade is tolerated and plants can be trained against a north wall. Grow as a permanent framework as a bush, standard, cordon or fan. Keep the around the bushes free of other plants. Mulch with well rotted compost, manure or bark Grow in a well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. Full sun is preferred, but partial shade is tolerated and plants can be trained against a north wall. Grow as a permanent framework as a bush, standard, cordon or fan. Keep the area around the bushes free of other plants. Mulch with well-rotted compost, manure or bark particularly on dry soils. Further redcurrant cultivation advice
PruningMain pruning is carried out in dormant season, along with summer pruning of vigorous laterals
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, powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus