[Sca-cooks] Currant plant help?

[Terry Decker]

The primary currants used in period are Ribes rubrum and Ribes nigrum.  The 
Cherry Red currant is a disease resistant variant of R. rubrum developed in 
Washington state.  Since it is a large fruited cultivar, it may be descended 
from some European hybrids developed around 1600.

Since Ribes can host several plant diseases, I would suggest using the 
Cherry Red or a similar disease resistant cultivar rather than trying for a 
more period plant.  I would also recommend checking with the state ag 
department (unless you ar in Washington, Oregon or some other state where 
they are grown commercially), since some states prohibit the importation and 
planting of Ribes.

Bear


> I'd like to plant some currants this fall and I was wondering which 
> cultivar
> is closest to what was grown in period.
>
> _http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/Plants/Currants.htm_
> (http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/Plants/Currants.htm)
>
> I was going to get the Cherry Red Currant but wanted to double check.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Grace