Ribes rubrum aka Garden Currant

The redcurrant, scientifically known as Ribes rubrum, is a deciduous shrub belonging to the gooseberry family. Native to western Europe, this plant is widely cultivated and has also escaped into the wild in various regions. Growing up to 1.2 meters tall, it produces small greenish white flowers in spring, followed by long strings of attractive translucent pink currants. The fruits can be consumed directly from the bush or used in desserts and preserves. The red currant is hardy in zone 5 of the UK and is not frost tender. It blooms from April to May, with the seeds ripening from July to August. Being a hermaphrodite plant, it is pollinated by bees and is self-fertile. Ribes rubrum thrives in well-drained soil with a preferable pH range of acid to alkaline. It can tolerate various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, and can grow in semi-shade or no shade conditions. However, it prefers moist soil. The red currant is an unarmed, spreading shrub that typically reaches a height of 100-150cm but can occasionally grow up to 300cm. In the temperate zone, particularly in northern Europe and Asia, red currants are commonly cultivated for their edible fruit on both commercial and garden scales. The plant also has medicinal uses, although caution must be exercised as the fresh leaves contain a toxin called hydrogen cyanide, which can be harmful in excess quantities. However, in small amounts, hydrogen cyanide has been known to stimulate respiration, aid digestion, and is even claimed to have potential benefits in cancer treatment.