Red currant (Ribes rubrum 'Rovada')

Overview

Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’, commonly known as Red currant, is a compact, mounding deciduous shrub highly prized by gardeners for its productive fruit yield. This cultivar offers long, pendant clusters of bright red currants that ripen in July, providing a tart, flavorful harvest perfect for culinary applications like jams and jellies. While the flowers are not highly ornamental, the resulting fruit display is quite showy.

This variety thrives in cooler climates and requires consistent moisture to produce the best crops. As a shrub reaching 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, the Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ fits well into edible landscapes or utilized as functional hedging. Proper siting and routine dormant pruning are key components to ensuring robust health and maximizing the substantial fruit production of this popular Red currant.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Grossulariaceae
• Plant Type: Fruit
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-5 ft
  • Spread: 3-5 ft
• Bloom Time: April to May
• Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Plant Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ during the dormant season, often available as bare root plants, spacing them about 3 feet apart. Ensure the chosen location offers organically rich, well-drained soil, as consistently wet roots are detrimental. While full sun is preferred, these Red currant shrubs benefit from some afternoon shade in regions experiencing very hot summers.

Maintain medium moisture by watering regularly, focusing on the root zone. It is crucial to avoid overhead watering, which can promote fungal issues. An application of good organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture and moderate root temperatures. As the shrub is self-fertile, no cross-pollination is required for fruiting.

Pruning should occur during the dormant season. For best production and longevity, focus on removing older wood; generally, it is recommended to remove any stems older than three years. Be patient, as Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ may require 4 to 5 years to fully establish before reaching its maximum fruit-bearing potential.

Landscape Uses

The manageable size of the Red currant makes it exceptionally versatile. While its primary appeal is culinary production within fruit or vegetable gardens, Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ also functions beautifully as an attractive, functional hedge within the landscape design. Its uniform, mounding habit provides dense border structure.

Consider planting Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ along a protected, slightly northern edge of a property where it can avoid the harsh afternoon sun while benefiting from the cool, moist soil it prefers. In formal settings, a row of these can define a garden space, providing both structure and an annual summer fruit harvest.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Insignificant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy
• Edible

Noteworthy Characteristics

Ribes rubrum, commonly called red currant, is grown primarily for its fruit. ‘Rovada’ is a red currant cultivar which is grown primarily for fruit production, presenting as a compact, mounding shrub reaching 3-5 feet tall. Flowers yield long, pendant clusters of bright red currants that are ready for harvest in July, which, despite being tart, are excellent for processing into jams, jellies, or pies.

Tolerances

• Rabbit

Potential Problems

Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ can be susceptible to fungal diseases in overly wet or humid environments, specifically anthracnose, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot. Management includes ensuring excellent air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Potential pests include the currant aphid, scale, currant bud mite, and currant fruit fly.

The most severe concern involves white pine blister rust, for which currants act as an alternate host. This disease can be fatal to white pines. Gardeners must verify local agricultural restrictions, as ten eastern states currently ban or restrict the planting of Ribes species. If you need to plant near white pines, use rust-resistant cultivars instead, or avoid planting currants entirely if the disease is prevalent in your locale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Red currant suitable for?

The Red currant (Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’) is highly dependable across USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 7.

When does Red currant bloom?

Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ produces its greenish-yellow flowers typically between April and May.

How large does Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ grow?

This variety matures into a compact shrub, generally reaching a height between 3 to 5 feet and spreading to a similar width of 3 to 5 feet.

What sun exposure does Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ need?

This Red currant prefers full sun but adapts well to partial shade, especially benefiting from some afternoon shade protection in hotter climates.

Conclusion

The Red currant (Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’) offers gardeners an excellent combination of manageable size and highly desirable, edible fruit, making it a valuable addition to edible or ornamental plantings. By providing well-drained soil, consistent moisture without overhead irrigation, and performing necessary dormant pruning, you can ensure years of successful harvest from your Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’. Always check local regulations regarding Ribes species before finalizing your planting location.

Companion Planting

When planning the space around your Red currant, focus on companions that share similar cultural needs, particularly moisture retention and sun exposure preferences. Avoid planting near white pines due to the risk of blister rust transmission. Excellent companions include hardy, shade-tolerant herbs or low-growing berry bushes that do not aggressively compete for surface nutrients.

Consider integrating perennial vegetables or herbs that appreciate a slightly protected spot, such as rhubarb or certain mint varieties contained within root barriers. Pairing Ribes rubrum ‘Rovada’ with blueberries can create a balanced acidic fruit garden, provided soil pH adjustments are managed for all species involved.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Late Winter/Dormancy (February - Early March): This is the prime time for architectural pruning. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Critically, prune out any main canes older than three years to encourage new, vigorous fruiting wood for next season’s harvest.

Mid-Spring (April - May Bloom): As growth begins and fruits set, closely monitor for common pests like currant aphids and watch for early signs of fungal issues. Apply a preventative organic fungicide if your area has a history of mildew or leaf spot. Ensure plants receive consistent water as fruit development accelerates.

Mid-Summer (July Harvest/Fruiting): Harvest the Red currant fruit clusters immediately upon reaching full ripeness for the best flavor. Post-harvest, maintain regular watering to support summer root health, but avoid heavy feeding until dormancy returns.