Landscaping with currants and berries

Currents grow best in cool regions. They are deciduous shrubs, fast growing under optimum conditions. The plant is a multiple-stemmed clump, to 1 ½ m high and is suitable for training aswell. Annual growth is in a single flush in spring. The roots are close to the surface, fine and easily damaged by frequent cultivation.



















Foliage: Black currant leaves are pale green, while those of the red currant are deep blue-green. Both are easily burned by intense sunlight. Leaf size and number is reduced under water stress.

Currant flowers (green in the case of red currants and blush pink for black currants) are not that showy, but joined together on the strig they give the bush a lacy texture.

Pollination: is by insects. Black currant flowers also attract bees. Most currants have self-fertile flowers, but a few cultivars are partially self-sterile, so set more fruits with cross-pollination.

To increase both fruit size and number, clip off part of the ends of the strigs while the bushes are flowering. Depending upon the cultivar, fruits ripen from
70 to 100 days after blossoming.