Ribes
Currant, Gooseberry
- Height × spread
- 1m – 3m × 0.9m – 3m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Generally available in late Spring
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The currant family includes both culinary and ornamental forms. The culinary forms are represented by blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum), red currants (Ribes rubrum), and gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa). The ornamental forms include the well known Ribes sanguineum which has dangling clusters of flowers in shades of white, pink and red. They flower during March and April. There is also a good golden foliage form called Ribes sanguineum 'Brocklebankii'. Their early flowering habit makes them good companions to spring bulbs. Among other forms of this attractive plant range is dainty flowered Ribes alpinum and the curious green flowers of Ribes laurifolium. A number of forms make hearty plants with handsome leaves and are worth considering is space is available.
- Flower colour
- Green, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Black, Gold, Green, Red, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Dome, Fan
- Height
- 1m – 3m
- Spread
- 0.9m – 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Hedge, Structural, Coloured stems, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Found in
More Ribes
Ribes nigrum
Blackcurrant, European blackcurrant
Ribes nigrum 'Titania'
Mid-season blackcurrant
Ribes rubrum 'Jonkheer van Tets'
Early red currant
Ribes rubrum 'White Versailles'
Whitecurrant 'Versailles Blanche', Early white currant
Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII'
Flowering currant, Winter currant, California gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa
Gooseberry, Goosegog
Ribes uva-crispa 'Hinnonmaki Yellow'
Cooking & eating gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa 'Invicta'
Cooking & eating gooseberry