Species red currant

red currant

Ribes rubrum 'Rovada'

Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Rovada') is an evergreen shrub with attractive red berries. Growing up to 2.5 m in height, this deciduous shrub displays small, bright green foliage during spring and summer, transitioning to yellow-gold for the fall and winter months. Red currant’s hearty flowers attract pollinators, and mature berries are ideal for making jams and jellies. Pruning and pre-harvest thinning is recommended for increased productivity. Red currant loves cool, well-drained soils and only requires moderate fertilizing. This hardy and low maintenance plant makes a lovely addition to any garden.

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

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Rovada') should be watered frequently and deeply. During the summer months, it should receive 1 to 2 inches of water weekly, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply, ensuring that the soil is moist down to at least 6 inches deep. During the winter, water the plant only every 2 to 3 weeks, as it does not need as much water during the cold months. Monitor the soil on a regular basis to ensure that it does not dry out, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot and stem diseases.

sunlight

Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Rovada') is a deciduous shrub that prefers full sun for optimal growth and berry production. It requires 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day during its growing season. It should be in a sunny location that receives direct sunlight in the morning and partial shade during the hot afternoon periods. The best exposure for growing this plant is an area that has morning sun and afternoon shade. For plants in regions with prolonged periods of intense sunlight, some shade protection from other taller shrubs and trees is beneficial. Additionally, it should be planted in an area that is sheltered from strong winds that may damage the delicate fruit clusters and calyxes.

pruning

Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Rovada') should be pruned during the early winter months, before new growth begins. This plant species typically requires light pruning, as it is an upright-branching and naturally compact plant. Pruning should include removing dead, diseased, and broken branches. Yearly pruning can be done to remove thin, weak stems and to maintain an open center structure to the plant. Additionally, it is beneficial to remove any crossing or inwardly facing branches to allow light to reach all parts of the shrub. Any excess growth should be selectively pruned to the desired shape and size.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Red currant typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ribes rubrum 'Rovada' is usually in July and August.

Hardiness Map