Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum)

Key Features

• Cold-hardy berry shrub known for its bright red, tart-sweet clusters of fruit.

• Excellent for jams, jellies, sauces, wine, cordials, and fresh snacking.

• Heavy producer with long, dangling trusses of berries that are easy to pick.

• Self-fertile, but yields improve with multiple plants.

• Compact, tidy shrub, ideal for small gardens, food forests, and homesteads.

• Excellent wildlife and pollinator value.

Growth & Planting

• USDA Planting Zone: 2–7

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best fruiting in full sun).

• Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained loam; tolerant of clay and variable soil.

• pH Range: 5.5–7.0

• Spacing: 4–5 ft between plants.

• Mature Size: 3–5 ft tall and wide.

• Bearing Age: Begins producing in 2–3 years.

Why Grow Red Currants?

• Dependable crops even in cold or wet summers.

• Great addition to hedges, mixed borders, and food forests.

• Hardy across all of Canada, including Nova Scotia.

• Attractive foliage and long, jewel-like berry strings that look beautiful on the shrub.

Redcurrant.
SIZE: Approx 12 inches high
GROWTH: Good growth in first year. Mature shrub reaches 4 feet high.

Sizes Explained

A Grade (Ground-Ready): Stronger, thicker stems for instant planting.
B Grade (Ground-Ready): Thinner stems, but still suitable for planting directly in the ground.
Pot-Ready: Start in a pot or nursery bed for one season before transplanting.

Delicious tasting fruit in a little red berry.
Juicy and sweet when picked just right.
Makes endless creations for breakfast and snacks.
Excess can be placed in a freezer for longer term storage.

TIP: Red currants are self fertile but more productive if planted with other red currants for pollination.