In spring in April, the bloodcurrant Ribes sanguineum Pursh shows its beauty with red, pink or white flowers, which look very impressive during flowering. The flowers are gathered in dangling or erect clusters 6-8 cm long. It is the most beautiful type of currant, perfectly matching the bed with forsythia and strawberries, i.e. shrubs blooming in early spring before the leaves unfold, as well as sapphires, squash and tulips. After flowering, it produces a few small black berries covered with a bluish white waxy coating. Red currant is a shrub with a habit similar to the fruity forms of currants. It has erect shoots covered with soft hairs.Reaches 1.5-2 m in height. 3-5-lobed fragrant leaves are embedded on the shoots. All parts of the plant give off an aromatic fragrance.
Red currant likes sunny or slightly shaded positions, preferably secluded, with humus soil, in good condition. It also grows on average soils, but slower. It does not like heavy, cold and catchment soils, where it often freezes. Tolerates increased calcium content in the soil. During severe winters, shoots or entire shrubs may freeze, therefore, in the cool regions of north-eastern Poland, the plant should be protected against cold. In the Polish climate, currant is not a long-lived plant. The bush tolerates air pollution very well, so it is suitable for planting in industrial districts and cities.
In Poland, ornamental varieties are grown that differ in color and intensityand the length of flower clusters.
The interesting are:
• 'Atrorubens' - with dark red flowers gathered in short inflorescences. It grows up to 1.5 m.
• 'King Edward VII' - has bright red flowers gathered in 10 cm long clusters. It grows up to 1.5 m. In the garden, it should be planted in a sunny position, but in a quiet position, as it is not fully frost-proof.
• 'Splendens' - a strongly growing variety. Grows up to 2 m. Dark red flowers, developing early in spring.
The nurseries offer shrubs in the form of a bush or grafted on a low trunk at a height of 1-1.5 m (best to buy in pots). In the spring, after planting, for the first two years, trim the currant above the 3-4th bud from below so that it branches. Later, it does not require annual pruning, and is rejuvenated after 10 years by cutting some of the oldest shoots low above the soil at a height of 10-15 cm.
Currant bushes are propagated well from woody cuttings, cut in November and December, kept until spring, and then planted into the ground. It is also possible to reproduce by layering.
