About
A deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall if left unpruned. It has green lobed leaves and pale green flowers which develop into strings of light red berries in late 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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Fruit Edible
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any soil in light shade. For more advice 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, gooseberry sawfly and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus