Ribes sp.

Deciduous, Edible fruit, Shrubs

These many-stemmed, thornless shrubs grow to 3–5 ft. high and wide, depending on vigor and variety. They have attractive lobed, toothed leaves to 3 in. wide that drop early in fall, sometimes turning bright red, orange, or yellow first. Drooping clusters of white or yellowish flowers bloom in early spring, and are followed in summer by fruit used for jellies, jams, preserves. For ornamental relatives,see Ribes.

Like other members of Ribes, currant may be host to white pine blister rust and is still banned in some areas where white pines grow; check with your Cooperative Extension Office or a local nursery for regulationsin your area.

Black currants, derived fromR. nigrum or R. aureum (seedescriptions under Ribes), haverich, pungent flavor and aregood in jams and preserves.Since they are the most favored host of white pine blister rust,grow rust-immune hybrids suchas ‘Consort’, ‘Crandall’, ‘MinaSmyriou’, and ‘Titania’. ‘BenSarek’ has good-quality fruit oncompact, mildew- and rust-resistant plants.

n\

Red and white currants, derived from R. sativum, are less likely to be hosts to therust. These tart fruits are usedmainly for jelly. Red-fruitedvarieties include ‘Cherry’,‘Jonkheer Van Tets’, ‘Red Lake’, and ‘Wilder’; white typesinclude ‘Blanca’ and ‘Primus’.

Generally self-fruitful. Do not grow where water or soil is high in sodium. Mulch well. Prune during dormant season. On red and white currants, cut stemsolder than 3 years to the ground; on black currants, remove stems older than 2 years. Older canes are often darker and peeling. Currant worm can defoliate plants; control with Bacillusthuringiensis (Bt).