Secret Landscaping

Currants and Gooseberries

Ribes

A massive genus of around 150 species of shrubs native to northern temperate regions around the world. Many species are grown commerically for their fruit.
A tea can be made from boiling the leaves in 5 minutes. The newly emerging shoots during spring can be eaten raw.
The fruits of Currents are very rich in Pectin, Vitamin A, C, Calcum, Cooper, Iron and Potassium. Ssome of the better tasting species are good eaten fresh or in salads.
Cooking improves the taste of some types of Currents and they can be used in pies, muffins, juices, preserves and bread. A number of Ribes species are not self fertile and need to be planted in groups for good fruit production.
Currents prefer partial shade ( prefer light shade during the hottest part of the day ) on fertile, deep, cool, moist, well drained soil. Currents do not like hot soil and mulch is essential where soil bakes in the sun. Propagation is from seed, hardwood cuttings ( 10 inch lengths ) taken during autumn and layering. New plants should be installed during mid to late autumn or early spring while still dormant. Old leggy plants can be cut to the ground during early spring to renovate.
Many species are prone to a rust fungus that can also infect and kill species of White Pines. Due to Blister Rust disease, the Currents have been deliberately killed and in many places nearing extinction where White Pine is a commercial timber crop. Close to 1.5 billion Current plants have been destroyed over the past century.
Fortunately there are newer cultivars that are resistant to Blister Rust.

* video found on internet

* photos taken on May 10 2013 in Ellicott City, MD


Ribes alpinum ( Alpine Current )
A deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 13 x 13 feet, that is native to Europe, Russia and far northern Africa. One 300 years old plant is a 15 foot tree.
Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 2 feet; 5 years - 44 inches; 9 years - 5.5 x 9.5 feet in Alberta; 10 years - 6.5 feet. Can be used for both sheared and natural hedging.
The 3-lobed leaves, up to 2.5 x 2 inches, are glossy bright green turning to mid-green during summer. The foliage appears very early in spring and turns to yellow during autumn.
The tiny, yellowish-green to bright yellow flowers are borne in erect racemes, up to 1.5 inches in length, during mid-spring. Can be used as a Forsythia substitute.
They are followed by bitter tasting, red fruits.
The purplish-red stems are smooth.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun or partial shade, thriving even in Albertas and North Dakotas harsh climate. Very tolerant of shade and drought. Male plants are resistant to White Pine Blister Rust, female plants should not be used where White Pine grows nearby as they can be a host.

* photo taken on Aug 3 2012 in London, Ontario

Aureum
New foliage is bright yellow-green.

Green Jeans
Reaches a maximum height of 5 feet, with glossy green disease free foliage that persists later in autumn.

Green Mound
Reaches a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, with disease free foliage, bearing no fruit. More resistant to leaf diseases than the species.


Ribes americanum ( American Black Current )
A deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 4 feet, that is native to the northern U.S.
The 3 toothed-lobed, rounded leaves are up to 4 x 4 feet. The foliage is yellowish-green turning to brilliant scarlet-red during autumn.
The creamy-white flowers are borne in pendulous racemes up to 4 inches long.
They are followed by black ( with green flesh ) fruits. The berries are of excellent quality.
Hardy zones 2 to 7

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Ribes aureum ( Golden Current )
A bushy, upright, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 10 x 6 feet, that is native to western North America, from British Columbia to Saskatchewan; south to California to New Mexico.
The coarsely-toothed, 3-lobed leaves are up to 2.5 x 2.7 inches.
The mid-green leaves turn golden-yellow to orange and persist very late in autumn.
The very fragrant, yellow flowers are borne in pendulous racemes.
They are followed by edible, purple-black fruits.
Hardy zones 2 to 7 in full sun to partial shade.
Very drought and alkaline tolerant, surviving in climates with annual average rainfall as low as 24 inches. It also tolerates flooding.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. North Dakota tree handbook

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


* video found online


var gracillimum
Reaches a maximum size of 6.5 x 6.5 feet, with unscented flowers that are yellow turning to red. The berries are red.

Ribes bracteosum ( California Black Currant )
A deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 12 feet. Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 5 feet.
The aromatic, large, Maple-shaped leaves are up to 10 ( rarely over 8 ) inches across.
The greenish-yellow flowers are borne in erect inflorescences up to 8 inches in length.
They are followed by bitter tasting, black berries that are covered in white bloom.
The stems are not armed with thorns.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Ribes californicum

* photo of unknown internet source


Ribes cereum ( Wax Current )
A shrub reaching a maximum height of 6.5 feet, that is native to much of western U.S. and British Columbia.
The toothed, shallow-lobed leaves are rounded.
The clustered racemes contain 2 to 9 white to pink, tubular flowers.
Fruits are not eaten.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken by C. Kenneth Pearse @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Ribes cynosbati ( Eastern Prickly Gooseberry )
A small deciduous shrub, native from eastern North Dakota to southern Quebec & Maine; south to Arkansas to northern Georgia.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Ribes davidii ( David Gooseberry )
A low, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 3.3 feet ( much lower if not against a wall ), that is native to cool cloud forests in the mountains of southwest China ( northwest Yunnan, Sichuan, southwest Hunan, sw Hubei & n. Guizhou.
The elliptic to obovate leaves, up to 1.3 x 1.3 inches, are clustered at the branch tips.
The attractive, leathery foliage is glossy green.
The yellow-green flowers are borne on racemes, up to 2.8 inches in length, during mid to late spring.
They are followed by purple fruit.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 in partial shade on moist, well drained soil. It does not tolerate hot humid summers in the east. Propagation is from seed or misted softwood cuttings taken during mid summer and planted on sandy mix.

Ribes fasciculatum ( Clustered Red Currant )
A deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 6 feet, that is native to temperate regions of China. Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 5 feet/
The toothed, 3 to 5 lobed, rounded leaves, are up to 3 x 4 inches.
The foliage is downy at first.
The flowers are yellow. Only the female flowers are fragrant.
The persistent, smooth, scarlet-red fruits have yellow flesh.
Plants of both sexes are required to produce fruit.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

var. chinensis
Larger leaves to 4 inches in length.

Ribes gayanum
A suckering, evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 6.5 feet. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 6.5 feet.
The velvety leaves, up to 2 x 2 inches, are gray-green.
The fragrant, yellow, bell-shaped flowers are borne on short, dense inflorescences during early summer. They are followed by purplish-black fruits.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Ribes glandulosum ( Skunk Currant )
A deciduous shrub, native from Alaska to Labrador; south to British Columbia to Minnesota to Pennsylvania ( south to western North Carolina in mountains )

* photo taken by Mark A. Garland @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Ribes x gordonianum
A tough, deciduous shrub, reaching up to 5 x 6 feet.
The toothed, 3 or 5 lobed leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are deep green, turning to orangish-yellow in fall.
The very showy, fragrant, red drooping flower racemes are borne mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in full sun to partial shade ( partial shade where summers are hot ) on humus-rich, well drained soil. It is considered a host plant for White Pine Blister Rust and should not be planted in the eastern U.S.

Ribes grossularia ( Garden Gooseberry )
The tasty, succulent fruits are unfortunately covered in spines. The fruits are great used in pies and cooking the fruits make the spines disappear.

Ribes henryi
A rare, semi-prostate, evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 5 feet in 10 years.
The unlobed leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are bright green.
The greenish-yellow flowers are borne late winter into early spring.
They are followed by deep red fruit, up to 0.5 inches in length.
The stems are bristly when young.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Ribes hirtellum ( Hairy Stem Gooseberry )
A deciduous shrub, native from Alberta to Labrador; south to Montana to northern Illinois to Pennsylvania ( West Virginia in mountains ).

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Ribes hudsonianum ( Northern Black Currant )
A deciduous shrub, native from Alaska to Quebec; south to northern California to Wyoming to northern Minnesota to northern Michigan ).
Hardy zones 1 to 6

* photo taken by Joe F. Duft @ USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora


Ribes inerme ( White-Stemmed Gooseberry )
A deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum height of 7 feet, that is native to western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico.
The stems are very sparsely thorned.
The bluntly-toothed, 3 or 5 rounded lobed leaves are up to 2.5 inches across.
The greenish ( with white or pink petals ) flowers are borne in small clusters.
They are followed by edible, purplish-red fruits.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Poorman
Mid sized, tasty red fruits.
Tolerates as low as -30 F. Blister Rust resistant.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora


Ribes Jostaberry
The thornless hybrid between Red Currant and Gooseberry.
The dark colored fruit are very rich in Vitamin C.
Hardy zones 4 to 7.

Ribes x koehneanum
An attractive flowering shrub that is the hybrid between Ribes multiflorum & R. silvestre.
The leaves are up to 2.5 inches across.
The light brown ( heavily flushed pink-red ) flowers are borne in racemes up to 4 inches in length. The fruits are red.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Ribes lacustre ( Bristly Black Current )
A deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 4 feet. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 4 feet.
The deeply-cut leaves that are shaped like that of the Silver Maple are up to 2 inches in length.
The deep red flowers are borne on inflorescences during late spring into early summer.
They are followed by bristly black fruit.
The slender stems are armed with brown bristles and spines.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 on cool moist, partial to full shady sites.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Ribes laurifolium
A spreading evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to mountains in western China. The coarsely-toothed, narrow elliptical leaves are up to 4 x 2.5 inches. The leathery foliage is deep green.
The drooping, bright greenish-yellow, tubular flowers are borne in clusters up to 2 inches in length during late winter.
They are followed by edible, downy, reddish-black fruits borne on female plants only. Male plants are needed to pollination to produce berries.
The orangish-red twigs are smooth.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun or partial shade on fertile, well drained soil. It is slow to establish after transplanting.
Remove spreading branches during early spring to encourage more upright habit if necessary. Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings taken during summer.

Ribes malvaceum ( Chapparal Current )
A very beautiful shrub, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 12 feet, that is a widespread California native.
The toothed, 3-lobed, Maple-like foliage is luxuriant bright green.
The flowers are pink.
Hardy zones 7 to 9. Very drought tolerant.

Ribes nigrum ( European Black Current )
A fast growing, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 6 feet.
The 3 or 5 lobed leaves, up to 4 x 5 inches, are deep green above, light green and downy beneath.
The downy, yellow-green ( and red centered ) flowers, up to 0.4 inches wide, are borne on pendulous racemes.
They are followed by black fruits up to 0.4 inches wide. Rare in the U.S., this is the best tasting of all the Currents and the fruit make excellent jam. The anti-oxident rich fruits are among the most potent in Vitamin C of all fruits.
The seed of this species only contains gamma linolenic acid, an essential ingredient in commercially sold Evening Primrose Oil.
The stems are downy when young.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

* videos found online







* photos of unknown internet source



Apiifolium
Deeply-cut foliage.

Ben Connan
High quality fruit.

Ben Lomond
Large fruit borne late.

Blacksmith
Very vigorous and dense. Abundant, moderately tasty berries borne on long strings.

Coloratum
Foliage is variegated, otherwise similar.

Consort
Blister rust resistant.

Crusader
Very vigorous, needs cross pollination.
Resistant to blister rust.

Jet
Large dark colored fruit.

Xanthocarpum
Fruits are white or yellow.

Ribes odoratum ( Buffalo Current )
Also called Missouri Current. A fast growing, attractive, arching, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 13 x 13 ( averaging 6 x 6 ) feet, that is native to the central U.S.
The spicy aromatic, toothed, 3 or 5 lobed leaves, up to 4 x 3.2 inches, are blue-green, turning to deep red during autumn. The attractive foliage is mildew resistant.
The sweetly-fragrant, showy, intense yellow flowers are borne in pendant racemes during mid to late spring. The flowers attract hummingbirds.
The abundant, edible, purplish-black fruit are tasty and cultivars bred for superior fruiting do exist. The berries are produced on female plants only.
The very large berries are great for making jam.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil except pure sand or wet clay. Tolerant of heat and drought, insect and disease resistant.

Crandell
Very large, sweet, black berries that are extremely rich in Vitamin C. It is otherwise very similar to the species.

Xanthocarpum
Orangish-yellow berries.

Ribes oxycanthoides ( Mountain Gooseberry )
A small, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 3 feet, that is native to Canada and the northern U.S. ( from Alberta to Newfoundland; south to Illinois ).
The deeply 5-lobed, heart-shaped leaves, up to 1 x 1 inch, are glossy deep green.
The single or paired, small, greenish-white to pale purplish-pink flowers are borne during spring.
They are followed by edible, purplish-red berries.
The bristly slender stems are armed with thorns up to 0.5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 2 to 8

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


James Prairie
Reaches up to 5 feet in height and is resistant to leaf spot and rust having healthy lush foliage all summer long.
The berries are tasty and deep red in color.
Potential as commerical fruit crop on northern Great Plains.

Ribes petiolaria ( Black Currant )
Excellent berries.

Ribes rubrum ( Red Currant )
Also called Ribes silvestre. An upright, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to western Europe ( Netherlands & Belgium to Poland; south to Portugal to northern Italy ). Red Currants are good looking landscape plants and are the epitome of edible landscaping.
The pointy, 5 lobed leaves are up to 2.5 inches in length.
The yellowish-green flowers are borne in racemes, up to 3.2 inches in length, during spring. They are quickly followed by edible, translucent, scarlet-red fruits, up to 0.5 inches across, during mid to late summer. Each cluster contains from 3 to 10 berries. A single plant can produce up to 7 pounds of berries in a season. The plants are self pollinating so a single lone plant will bear fruit.
The stems are smooth and unarmed. The fruits are rich in Antioxidents, Vitamin B1, Vitamin c, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium. They can be eaten fresh, dried and are great used in jams, jellies, juices, sodas and tart fillings. Currant jelly can even by used as an antiseptic for cuts and burns.
Cultivars of Ribes rubrum make up most of the commercially grown Red Currents grown today. Birds also like the berries and netting may be necessary to protect your crop.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 ( tolerating as low as -40 F ) in full sun to partial shade on fertile, well drained soil with a preferred PH of 5.5 to 6.8. It is recommend to plant during early spring or autumn while dormant and mulch deeply during the first winter to protect from frost heaving.
Plants generally take about 4 years to fully establish and bear fruit heavily.
Pruning is generally to keep the plants compact and thin out enough to prevent leaf fungus, esp. mildew. Ribes rubrum is prone to White Pine Blister Rust and it may be illegal to plant it in areas where White Pine are commercial timber crops or a large part of the urban forest canopy.
Propagation of cultivars is from softwood and hardwood cuttings ( take cuttings during autumn, stick them in the ground, and they root by the following spring - very easy ). Another option is taking foot long cuttings of dormant wood during late winter, dipping in rooting hormone and potting in ordinary potting soil. The cuttings root quickly. Layering is also an option.

* photo of unknown internet source


* video found on internet

Blanca Abundant, tasty, yellow, late season fruits borne on long clusters. Hardy zones 3 to 7.

Cherry Red
Very profuse ( up to 20 pounds per year on a plant ), larger fruits that are earlier ripening. Grown commercially in the Pacific Northwest. Mildew resistant.

Hinnomaki Red
Originated in Finland, reaches up to 4 x 6 feet with abundant, large, deep red, deliciously sweet berries.

Jewel
Attractive and disease resistant, with profuse crops of unique intensely flavored orangish-red berries.

Macrocarpum
Large fruits

Red Lake
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum height of 8 feet.
The attractive foliage is deep green and the abundant berries are large and tasty.
Hardy zones 2 to 7, pest and disease resistant.

Rovada
Abundant, striking, long racemes of very large, beautiful translucent red, sweet tasting berries. A single plant may bear up to 20 pounds of fruit in a year.
Hardy zones 3 to 7.

White Grape
Pale yellow fruit.

White Pearl
Attractive and upright in habit, with translucent berries. A "White Currant".

Ribes sanguineum ( Flowering Currant )
Also called Winter Currant. A very fast growing, large, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 17 x 17 ( typically around 9 ) feet, that is native to the western U.S. from British Columbia to northern California. Commonly planted in British Columbia, rare in the east.
The 3 to 5 lobed, cordate, rounded leaves, up to 5 x 4 inches, are deep green above, white downy beneath. The aromatic foliage turns intense orange and red during autumn.
The pink to deep rose-red, tubular flowers, up to 0.3 inches, are borne on pendulous racemes up to 4 inches in length, late winter to mid spring.
The flowers are borne on wood from the previous year.
The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.
They are followed by a deep bluish-black fruit that is covered in white bloom.
The twigs are downy at first, later turning reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( tolerating as low as -30 F ) in full sun to partial shade on fertile, well drained soil, thriving best in the Pacific Northwest and western Europe. Drought tolerant. Old plants can be cut back hard during late winter to renovate.
Propagation is from hardwood cuttings taken during winter.

Brocklebankii
Reaches up to 6 x 6 feet in 5 years, eventually up to 8 feet.
The foliage is golden-yellow.
The flowers are pale pink.
Hard pruning during late winter is recommended for best foliage displays.

Elk River Red
Reaches up to 15 feet, with very early, bright rose-pink flowers.

Gibsons Wood
Upright in habit with deep pinkish-red flowers.

var glutinosum
Fast growing, reaching a maximum height of 13 feet, with smaller ( less downy ) leaves, up to 3.3 inches in length. The pink flowers are borne in clusters up to 5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 6 to 10

King Edward VII
Compact in habit, reaching a maximum height of 8 feet, with intense deep red flowers.
Some records include: 10 years - 8 feet.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery

* video found on internet


Plenum
Similar to species except with double red flowers.

Pulborough Scarlet
Similar to species, except bushy and upright with deep green foliage and abundant deep red flowers.

Spring Showers
Bright green foliage and pink flowers.

Tydemans White
Pure white flowers.

Variegata
Reaches up to 5 feet with foliage that is green and variegated with creamy-white. The flowers are red.

Ribes saxatile ( Rock Currant )
Also called Ribes cuneatum. A low, spreading shrub, reaching up to 3.3 feet in height, that is native to central Asia ( from Altai to Novosibirsk region of Siberia; south to Kazakhstan to Xinjiang Prov in China.
The shallowly trilobate leaves, up to 1 ( rarely over 0.6 ) inches wide are blue-green.
THe greenish flowers are borne on clusters, up to 2.2 ( rarely over 1.2 ) inches long, during late spring.
They are followed by bitter tasting, dark red berries up to 0.3 inches wide, during late summer.
Hardiness zones 3 to 7 ( est ).

Ribes sericium
Reaches a maximum size of 7 x 7 feet.
The foliage is bright green. The flowers are red.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in partial shade, preferring a cool location.
Tolerant of shade, sandy soil and deer.

Ribes speciosum ( Fuchsia-Flowered Gooseberry )
A moderate growing, upright, bushy, large, evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum size of 14 x 17 ( average is 10 ) feet, that is native to California.
The toothed, 3 to 5 lobed leaves are up to 1.5 inches in length. The foliage is smooth and glossy mid to deep green.
The very attractive, profuse, hanging, bright red, fuschia-like flowers ( with long red stamens ) up to 1 inch in length, are borne single or in 2s or 3s. They are followed by small, bristly red fruits, up to 0.3 inches in length.
The stems are spiny.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in sun or shade preferring a cool maritime climate. Tolerant of sand, clay and temperatures as high as 105 F. Very drought tolerant.

Ribes uva-crispa ( Gooseberry )
A long-lived, dense, thorny, small, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 4 feet, that is native from Europe to the Caucasus as well as far northern Africa. Long lived, a Gooseberry shrub can live up to 60 years of more. Some records include: growth rate - 20 inches.
The rounded-toothed, 3 or 5 lobed, heart-shaped leaves are up to 2.5 inches in length. The foliage is lightly downy beneath.
The flowers are tiny and green.
They are followed by bristly fruits, up to 1 inch across, that are green turning to yellow then red as it ripens. A single plant may bear up to 12 pounds of fruit in a year. The fruit is great for pies, jams and pastries, they are also great eaten raw if very ripe.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 ( tolerating as low as -40 F ) preferring partial shade and humus-rich, well drained soil that is mulched to keep the roots cool. In parts of North America, mildew can be a problem and disease resistant cultivars should be used instead.
Planting is recommended during very early spring or autumn ( autumn best in zones 5 to 9 ) with the tops cut back to 6 to 10 inches upon planting.

* photo of unknown internet source

* videos found on internet



Fredonia
Moderate growing, with attractive, very large, tasty red berries.

Hinnomaki Yellow
Has pale yellow berries and mildew resistant foliage.

Pixwell
Similar to species, with tasty fruits that are green, finally ripening to pink.

Thornfree
Branches bear no thorns. Hardy north to zone 2.

Ribes velutinum
A large, xerophytic, desert shrub similar to R. speciosum, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 14 feet, that is native to the southwestern U.S.
The tiny leaves are very luxuriant deep green.
The flowers are yellow.

Ribes viburnifolium
A medium-sized, evergreen or deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 12 feet, that is native to California and the Baja Peninsula.
The untoothed, unlobed leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The foliage is aromatic.
The pink flowers are borne in small erect racemes, up to an inch in length.
They are followed by red fruits.
The stems are smooth.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 ( 6 on very protected sites ), tolerating as low as 15 F as an evergreen with no winter leaf burn. Plants become deciduous at 10 F, killed to the ground at 8 F and die entirely at 0 F or colder if mulched. It is very tolerant of dry mediterranean climate summers and is deer resistant.
Propagation often occurs naturally as the drooping branches touch the ground and self layer.

Spooner
Much larger leaves.

Ribes viscossimum ( Sticky Current )
The fruits are not eaten