Redcurrants
These red rubies are long-awaited each year by gardeners and blackbirds alike. Requiring relatively little maintenance, redcurrant bushes will grow in most types of soil and will rarely disappoint. We inherited 2 mature bushes a few years and planted same next to our blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes. The following winter, the redcurrants were pruned to encourage new growth and to improve their overall shape. A few of the cuttings were planted nearby and took root quite easily. Despite the wet summer of 2015, we were not disappointed. Six redcurrant bushes produced kilos and kilos of succulent fruit. We even managed to leave some berries for the blackbirds who luckily had been discouraged by a fruit net.
Favoured by humans for centuries, the redcurrant is a culinary delight, enjoyed as a simple dessert fruit or converted to redcurrant jelly to grace a lamb or pork roast or to add zip to a Brie or goat’s cheese sandwich. The list is infinite.
If space in your garden allows it(a redcurrant bush will take up a square metre), then consider adding one to your shopping list this year. You won’t be disappointed.