Currant bushes

Blackcurrant, redcurrant and whitecurrant are very popular summer fruit mainly for use in making jams and jellies or use in desserts and puddings. They grow as small bushes and can be grown even in the smallest of gardens or even in containers on a patio. They are particularly suited to the cooler British climate and grow well in all parts of the country. They require some care and attention but are generally easy to grow and maintain. The berries are nutritious and rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants. We supply top quality strong two year bare root bushes normally with three or more branches. Click here for a guide to choosing currant bushes.


Blackcurrant bushes

There is nothing quite like the very distinctive flavour and aroma of blackcurrants. Blackcurrant jam is one of the most popular traditional jams. Blackcurrants are an essential ingredient of summer pudding one of the most delicious of English puddings. In France, blackcurrants are used to make crème de cassis which mixed with white wine or champagne makes the popular summer drink kir. Blackcurrants, particularly some of the newer varieties which have sweeter larger berries, can also be eaten fresh. As is widely known, blackcurrants are one of the richest sources of vitamin C.

Please find below 5 of the most popular and recommended varieties. We can offer a total of 7 varieties - click here.




Redcurrant bushes

Redcurrants hang on the bush in trusses which look like strings of brightly coloured red jewels. They make a wonderful jelly, sauces and add colour to desserts and puddings. If allowed to ripen well, they are sweet and can be eaten fresh. They are a rich source of vitamin C and other nutrients.




Whitecurrant bushes

Whitecurrants are simply redcurrants with white berries. Their pale, almost white translucent berries hang from the bush in trusses like a string of beads or miniature bunches of grapes. The berries are sweeter than those of redcurrants and therefore better for eating fresh. They are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients.




Hybrid bush fruit

Novel hybrid bush fruit have been produced by cross breeding blackcurrants with gooseberries. They are thorn-free bushes resembling blackcurrant bushes in many respects.





  • Image to be added
    An interesting hybrid of blackcurrant and gooseberry like a large blackcurrant in most respects.



How to choose currant bushes

Please find below some information that you may find helpful in selecting and buying currant bushes:

Growth habit and training. As the name implies currant bushes are normally grown as bushes. However, red and white currants - but NOT blackcurrants - can also be grown as cordons which a have a single vertical main stem with short branches. In good growing conditions bushes can grow up to 1.5m/5ft in height and spread. You should therefore allow 1.5m/5ft between bushes. Cordons can be planted much closer together with a spacing of 30cm/1ft. We supply two year old bush plants usually with three or more branches. These can be trained as cordons by selecting and growing the most suitable branch and removing the rest.

Cropping season. The earliest currants ripen in late June in southern England and the latest varieties in August. Each variety has a relatively short period of ripening through that season. If you plan to grow more than one variety, you should choose varieties with the minimum overlap of cropping to spread your season. Blackcurrants can be frozen for culinary use through the rest of the year.

Growing in containers. Currant bushes can be grown in containers and planter. Use a soil based John Innes No 3 compost and 20L or larger pots.

Pollination. All currants are self-fertile and individual varieties can be grown on their own.

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