Ulysses Prentiss Hedrick et al., USDA Corvallis
Family
Grossulariaceae
Botanical Name
RIBES rubrum 'Perfection'
Plant Common Name
Red Currant
General Description
Grown for its flavorful berries, red currant is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub from Eurasia. A 1902 introduction resulting from a cross between 'White Grape' and 'Fay,' 'Perfection' produces long bunches of relatively large fruits that ripen to dark red in early summer, in the middle of the red currant season. They are preceded by drooping clusters of inconspicuous greenish flowers in early spring. The mildly tart, juicy, thin-skinned fruits are excellent for jellies, sauces, and cooked desserts, and are also eaten fresh. They are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants. Plants are self-fruitful. The toothed, three-lobed, maple-like leaves are medium-green and hairless. This plant may escape gardens via self-sowing.
For best growth and fruiting, plant this shrub in full to partial sun and moist well-drained soil. Extremely cold-hardy, it requires some winter chill to perform well. In climates with hot summers, choose a site that has little or no afternoon sun. Mulch the plant to help provide even moisture and cool the soil. Remove two-year old stems to make room for new stems that are more productive and to allow sun to reach all the stems.
Use red currant in mixed edible plantings and hedges. As a possible alternate host for white pine blister rust, it may be banned in areas where that disease is extant (http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/wpineblister/wpineblister.htm). This cultivar is relatively susceptible to rust.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
7 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Width
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring
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Native To
Europe, Central Asia, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Green
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Fruit Color
Red, Dark Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
