Red currant typically starts flowering in April.
red currant
Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake'
Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake') is an attractive edible shrub, native to northern latitudes of Europe and Asia. It grows to 2-3 ft tall with erect, spreading branches that are clothed in green foliage with small, bright red edible berries. The sweet berries turn even darker as they ripen and can be used for a variety of purposes, from jams to juices. It thrives in well-drained, moist soils, in full sun or partial shaded areas, and is a great addition to gardens, providing color all season. Red currant 'Red Lake' is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also provides a great crop of nutrient-rich berries for baking and preserving.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 7
Flowers:
Greenish-yellow Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In Summer
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
bronze,green,red,purple,maroon
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Red Currant (Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake') plants should be watered every 5-7 days during the spring and summer months. If temperatures are abnormally high, plants should be watered more frequently. During the winter months, the soil should be kept slightly moist but not soggy. Water the plant deeply so that the entire root system is adequately hydrated. Aim to provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week, either from rainfall or irrigation.
sunlight
Red Lake currants (Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake') require 4–6 hours of direct, full sunlight each day for optimal growth. The best time to provide the necessary sunlight for this plant is during the morning hours, when sunlight is at its strongest. Additionally, the hours between 10:00am and 2:00pm provide the best sunlight for red currants, as they should not be exposed to strong sunlight during the hottest times of the day. This will help protect the plant from sunburn and other damage from too much direct sunlight.
pruning
Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake') should be pruned annually, preferably in the early spring before new growth emerges. This allows for control over the size of the shrub, as well as shaping it to a desired form. Only about 1-third of the shoots should be removed. Start by selecting the oldest stems, which are those with thicker bark. Cut these stems to the ground, and remove smaller stems growing near them. Also prune any branches that are crossing over 1 another or growing too close to each other. Leave any healthy, young lateral branches and new stems for continued growth.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The harvesting season for Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake' (red currant) typically begins in June and continues through August.
