1 Red Currant Plant 6-12" Bare Root Edible Berry Shrub

The Red Currant is a classic fruiting shrub prized for its tart, bright red berries and its versatility in the edible garden. This deciduous shrub produces clusters of translucent red currants that are perfect for fresh eating, jams, jellies, and pies. In spring, it offers small greenish-yellow flowers, followed by an abundant summer harvest. Red currants are self-fertile and easy to grow, making them a rewarding choice for home gardeners.

With its upright, spreading habit and attractive lobed leaves, the red currant also works well as an ornamental shrub in mixed borders or as part of a home orchard. It thrives in cooler climates and can be grown in partial shade, making it a useful fruit crop for gardens with less than full sun.

Plant Features

• Produces clusters of tart, bright red berries in summer
• Self-fertile and easy to grow
• Deciduous shrub with attractive lobed foliage
• Tolerates partial shade
• Ideal for fresh eating, preserves, and baking

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Ribes rubrum
• Plant Type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, moist, fertile soil
• Water Requirements: Moderate; keep soil evenly moist
• Growth Habit: Upright and spreading
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
• Bloom Season: Spring
• Harvest Season: Summer
• Mature Height: 3-5 feet
• Spacing: 3-5 feet apart

Planting & Care

Plant your bare root red currant in early spring or late fall while dormant. Soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots and deep enough to set the plant at the same depth it grew in the nursery. Backfill with soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly. Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the stem.

Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, red currants benefit from annual pruning to remove old wood and encourage new growth. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer. Harvest berries when they are fully colored and slightly soft.

What's Included

One Red Currant plant with a bare root, measuring 6-12 inches tall.