Description
Ribes rubrum alba | White currant
The white currant bush (Ribes rubrum alba) is an upright, bushy deciduous shrub for a UK edible garden. It reaches an average mature height of approximately 150 cm and has green foliage through the growing season. It loses its leaves in winter, so it does not provide evergreen cover. This shrub bears fruit and is self-fertile. Its spring flowers are yellow-green; further details about flowering are given below. The upright, bushy shape gives it a clear presence as a fruit-bearing shrub, whether planted on its own or with other shrubs in a group. As a member of the ribes genus, it can be considered for gardens where a fruit-bearing, deciduous shrub is wanted. No mature width is supplied, so allow for its height and form when considering where it may fit. Its suitability will depend on providing the stated growing conditions: a sunny or partially shaded position and fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that stays slightly moist.
Key features of the white currant (Ribes rubrum alba)
- Spring flowers: Yellow-green flowers appear in April and May. This gives the shrub a defined flowering period in spring. Its fruit-bearing character is another feature of interest in the garden.
- Green, deciduous foliage: The leaves are green during the growing season, and the shrub loses them in winter. The leaf shape is not specified, so no particular leaf form should be expected from this description.
- Position and soil: Choose a position in full sun or partial shade. The soil should be fertile and rich in humus, with good drainage, while remaining slightly moist. It is not suited to a description that suggests waterlogged ground.
Uses of the white currant bush in the garden
- Fruit garden: This self-fertile, fruit-bearing shrub is suited to a fruit garden. Its upright, bushy habit makes it a clear shrub feature while its deciduous foliage gives the planting a seasonal character.
- Specimen or group planting: Plant it as a specimen or include it in group planting. Its average mature height of about 150 cm and upright, bushy form help define its place among other shrubs, without requiring it to be treated as a tree or trained form.
- Cold hardiness: The stated hardiness is approximately -34.4°C to -28.9°C, USDA zone 4. This figure describes the supplied hardiness rating; it does not guarantee performance in every UK garden or microclimate.
- Garden character: Its green summer foliage, yellow-green spring flowers and fruit-bearing nature provide the main points of interest described for this deciduous shrub. It can be considered alongside other suitable fruit plants, without assuming specific companion plants.
For a sunny or partially shaded fruit garden, the white currant is a self-fertile, deciduous shrub with an upright, bushy habit. Give it fertile, humus-rich soil that is well drained and remains slightly moist.
