The best varieties of red currant, top 10 rating of red currant varieties

Many summer residents prefer shrubs for a number of reasons, the main among which is the unpretentiousness of these plants in relation to climatic conditions and undemanding care. Red currant is much less common than black currant, but in terms of the content of nutrients, it is in no way inferior to other berry crops. Fresh-sweet varieties cannot be found — even the sweetest breeds have at least a slight sourness.

Summer residents usually prefer large-fruited varieties that can easily withstand low temperatures. Attention is also paid to the ripening period, resistance to pests and diseases. As a rule, red currants are very susceptible to glass, red gall aphids, powdery mildew and anthracnose. For this reason, among gardeners, the greatest preference is given to varieties that are not susceptible to such diseases.

In our ranking of the best redcurrant varieties of the year, we have collected the most popular options. When we chose the most suitable breeds, we studied a lot of reviews from experienced gardeners, so the rating included only the highest quality options that will bring a rich harvest for many years.

Early varieties

3. Viksne

The breed was developed a little over 20 years ago by Latvian breeders. This currant will feel most comfortable in the northwestern regions of our country and in the central regions. The shrub has spreading branches, grows in height by 1-1.5 meters. The branches are straight and thick, the bark has a gray-brown color. The leaves have five lobes, they are dark green, their edges are slightly wavy. Both the front and back surfaces are smooth and matte. It blooms with not too large flowers, collected in brushes, the length of which is 11-16 cm. The average weight of one berry in this variety is in the range from 0.7 to 0.9 grams. They have a rounded shape, slightly flattened, the veins are clearly visible.

The currant has a very pleasant aroma, the taste is sweet, the sourness is pronounced, it refreshes well on hot days. Berries contain a minimum number of seeds. Their skin is thin, but very strong. The fruits contain a high percentage of pectin and vitamin C. Even overripe berries remain hanging on the bush, do not deteriorate at all and do not lose their taste and external qualities.

Advantages:

• It withstands low temperatures well, does not need shelter;
• The harvest is consistently high from year to year;
• Excellent resistance to anthracnose;
• Berries are characterized by excellent commodity and taste characteristics.

Disadvantages:

• Subject to red gall aphid;
• If the currant is not watered for a long time, then the berries will be small and sour.

Redcurrant Viksne

2. Early sweet

One of the most common breeds, which was bred by Soviet breeders in the middle of the previous century. The variety perfectly adapts to any climatic conditions, so it can be grown in various regions of the country. The height of the bush is about one and a half meters. The plants themselves do not need a lot of free space, the branches are not sprawling. The buds are all the same size, adjoining the branches very tightly. The seeds are small in size, so they are practically not felt in the berries. The mass of fruits is in the range from 0.5 to 0.9 grams. They have a rich red color. The taste is refreshing with a pronounced sourness.

The shape of the berries is rounded, the skin is dense, which facilitates the collection and transportation of berries. One brush can reach a length of 10 cm. This is a self-pollinating variety, which is also quite convenient. Bushes easily tolerate frosts down to -30 degrees, are not particularly sensitive to drought (the exception is the flowering period). From one bush per season, you can collect up to 8 kg of berries. The average fruiting period of one shoot is about 4-6 years.

Advantages:

• High yields;
• Pleasant dessert taste of berries;
• Able to hang on a bush for a long time, even if they are overripe;
• Easily tolerate severe frosts and lack of watering.

Disadvantages:

• Productivity is very dependent on the quality of the soil and its saturation with useful substances;
• Shrubs should be planted only in a well-lit area.

Red currant Early sweet

1. Jonker Van Tets

This breed was bred by Dutch breeders even before the start of World War II, however, domestic gardeners were able to get acquainted with all the possibilities of this variety only during perestroika. The bush grows quite quickly and intensively, gives a lot of shoots, all shoots grow up. All branches are flexible, so they will not break either under the weight of the snow cover or under the weight of the crop. The foliage is quite large, has a dark green color. The buds are not too big — about 10 berries are formed on one brush. Their shape is round or pear-shaped. Berries have a dense skin, which is painted in bright red. They have a sweet and sour taste and are used for eating fresh or processed.

Suitable for many regions of the European part of the country. Easily tolerates low temperatures and drought. Feels best in sunny areas, well protected from the winds.

Advantages:

• High and stable yield of shrubs — about 6.5 kg of berries can be harvested from one;
• Belongs to the group of self-pollinated varieties;
• Easy to transport even over very long distances;
• Unpretentious in terms of care;
• It tolerates low temperatures well;
• It has strong immunity to many diseases.

Disadvantages:

• If frosts were observed during flowering, then the ovary may simply crumble.

Redcurrant Jonker Van Tets

Mid-season varieties

3. Dutch pink

The bush of this variety grows up to one and a half meters in height, not too dense. Such a moment allows the crop to ripen at approximately the same time. The fruits themselves reach a decent size. The shoots are very strong, resistant to winds, do not break under the weight of snow and do not bend under the weight of the crop. The weight of the berries is in the range from 0.6 to 1.2, but fruits weighing up to 2.5 grams are not uncommon. One brush can contain up to 15 berries. They contain a high percentage of ascorbic acid — this substance contributes to the provision of a sour taste and a dense structure. In general, berries are great for preservation — making compotes, jams, jams, jellies, and so on.

The currant is unpretentious, but to get a bountiful harvest, you still have to provide it with the necessary care. The shrub is able to easily endure very severe frosts under snow cover, but is prone to freezing during spring frosts. It resists drought well, but still loves abundant watering — it will have to be watered two or three times a week, a bucket of water is poured onto one bush. With proper care from one bush, you can get up to 9 kg of berries. Even overripe, they will not crumble, so they are often collected in several approaches.

Advantages:

• It has a very high immunity to diseases and pests;
• Good resistance to drought and exposure to low temperatures;
• Perfectly balanced taste characteristics;
• Excellent yields.

Disadvantages:

• If you do not water for a long time, the berries will turn out small and rather sour.

Redcurrant Dutch Rose

2. Natalie

Another mid-season variety that will produce a large amount of very tasty red berries. It perfectly adapts to Russian conditions, so it can be grown in any region of the country. The variety is largely superior to other breeds in a number of indicators — the percentage of sugar in the berries, resistance to frost and lack of moisture. Grows best in sunny areas. The berries are not too large — their weight is about 0.6 grams. However, they look beautiful and have a sweet taste with a slight sourness. From one bush you can get up to 12 kg of berries per season.

The fruits can be eaten fresh, used for conservation, as a filling for pies, making vitamin cocktails. The bush itself is not demanding in relation to the type of soil, but at the same time loves sunny areas.

Advantages:

• Very high yields;
• Unpretentiousness in terms of care and feeding;
• Good resistance to diseases and pests;
• Delicious berries with high sugar content;
• It bears fruit for about 20 years.

Disadvantages:

• In the northern regions, bushes will have to be covered for the winter, especially if little snow is expected during the cold period.

Redcurrant Natalie

1. Radiant

Initially, this variety was developed for cultivation in the Siberian and Ural regions, however, even in the middle lane, it will feel quite good. The bush is characterized by high decorative qualities that persist throughout the season. As experienced gardeners say, this shrub is unpretentious in terms of cultivation, it is very easy to care for it. Bushes are slightly sprawling, occupy a minimum of free space. The stems are small, their bend is insignificant. The berries are quite large in size — one can weigh up to one and a half grams. The pulp is very juicy, although the sourness is present, it is very weakly expressed. The fruits can be used both fresh and processed. They contain a high concentration of vitamins C, K and B9.

The berries do not crumble — even fully ripe they are able to hang on a bush for up to a month. The variety perfectly tolerates both cold and drought. It has a high immunity to fungal and viral diseases. The life span of a shrub is about 25 years. It is self-pollinating, flowers well tolerate even strong spring frosts.

Advantages:

• A very bountiful harvest;
• It tolerates frost and lack of moisture;
• Has excellent taste characteristics;
• Resistant to various diseases.

Disadvantages:

• Depending on the region, the ripening period of berries varies.

Redcurrant Radiant

Late varieties

4. Marmalade

The fruit contains a high content of pectin, a substance that helps cleanse the human body of toxins and other harmful substances. Currants are great not only for private gardening, but also for commercial cultivation. The fruits are quite sour, so not everyone will like the taste, but the housewives were able to appreciate the possibilities of such a berry — it is added to sauces and ketchups for a more original taste. Pectin itself is a natural thickener. This is one of the latest varieties — the berries ripen only in the second half of August. The plant is self-pollinating, has a slight height, it grows up to a maximum of 150 cm in height.

The bush does not have too many shoots (usually no more than 9), they are slightly sprawling, but at the same time very dense. Branches begin to bear fruit from 3-5 years of age. The length of the brush is in the range from 8 to 10 cm, and the berries are very large — their weight can reach 2 grams. The percentage of sugar content is low, only about 7%. The yield is also average — from one bush you can get no more than 3 kg of fruit.

Advantages:

• The berries are large and quite beautiful;
• Magnificent trade dress of a crop;
• Stable yield regardless of growing conditions;
• Excellent resistance to pests and diseases;
• The fruits do not crumble until the arrival of cold weather.

Disadvantages:

• If you do not provide the variety with proper care, then over time the fruits will begin to shrink;
• Needs to be watered regularly
• There is abundant growth on the bushes.

Redcurrant

3. Rovada

In principle, this variety is excellent for growing in all regions, however, the optimal amount of harvest can be obtained only in the southern and eastern regions of the country. Their shape is even and rounded, veins are visible under the skin. The color can also vary from scarlet to dark red. The berries themselves are dense and crispy. The height of the bush is insignificant — a maximum of one meter, the length of young shoots does not exceed 20 cm in the first two years. Spreading is average, with a bountiful harvest, the branches will need to be tied up.

Ripe berries are quite juicy, do not crumble from the bush, fully ripen about three months after the start of flowering. They tolerate high temperatures well. The bush itself often becomes very thick, so it will need to be molded annually in the spring or autumn months. Currant easily withstands frosts down to -34 degrees. Berries can be easily transported over long distances, they contain a high concentration of vitamin C.

Advantages:

• Decent yields;
• It tolerates both low and high temperatures;
• Can be used for personal and industrial cultivation;
• Excellent resistance to most diseases.

Disadvantages:

• If changes in climate are sharp, then the plant will perceive this sensitively;
• Often come across low-quality seedlings.

Redcurrant Rovada

2. Gift of the eagle

Not very tall, but very sprawling shrub, its diameter can reach 1.2 m. The shoots in the lower part can have a diameter of 1 cm, they have a weak edge. The foliage is five-fingered, painted dark green, the leaf plates are matte and slightly concave. Brushes with berries grow up to 16 cm, each of them can have up to 26 berries. The average weight of one of them reaches 0.7 grams. The skin is dense and thin, when eaten, it is almost not felt. The pulp is juicy, it does not contain too many seeds, it has a sweet taste with a pronounced refreshing sourness.

Perfect for fresh consumption, jams, desserts, compotes, preserves and so on are prepared from berries. In terms of its main characteristics, it largely surpasses other varieties, both early and late ripening. The shrub is able to withstand up to -50 degrees below zero, it is immune to return frosts. The breed easily tolerates dry periods, however, a long-term lack of watering can lead to crushing of the fruit.

Advantages:

• High and very stable yield;
• It withstands frost well, resistant to diseases;
• Excellent trade dress;
• Can be transported over very long distances.

Disadvantages:

• Feels uncomfortable with low humidity;
• Requires annual crown renewal.

Redcurrant Dar eagle

1. Rosetta

Also not a very tall shrub — it can be a maximum of 1.2 m in height, but it has very powerful branches, which are located quite compactly, they form a compressed crown. The bark on the branches has a red-brown tint. The foliage is small, wrinkled and dark green in color. The flowers are rather pale, they are collected in brushes no more than 10 cm long. This variety was bred by Siberian breeders specifically for cold climate conditions, but this currant can also be grown in other regions, in particular, in the European regions of the country.

The variety is characterized by increased resistance to drought. The plant easily tolerates even very hot weather, tolerant of the lack of rain. Even in such conditions, the berries do not bake and do not begin to crumble. Even in cold areas, the shrub does not need to be covered; in winter it is enough just to cover it with snow.

Advantages:

• Quite large and very tasty berries;
• Easily tolerates even extremely low temperatures;
• Handles heat and drought well.

Disadvantages:

• Low immunity — the plant is prone to damage by anthracnose and septoria.

Redcurrant Rosetta

In conclusion, a useful video

So our review of the best varieties of red currant comes to an end. We hope that you have managed to choose the most suitable breed for your summer cottage, which will delight you and your loved ones with large, tasty and healthy berries for a long time. If you already have experience with similar cultivated plants, then you can always share it with other readers in the comments to this article. People will certainly be grateful to you for providing additional information.