Berried Treasures: Black, Red and White Currants

Black, red and white currant bushes--all highly productive even in light shade. If you are into jams and jellies--and what gardeners are not?--then you might explore further, much further. Once tasted, though, you're hooked--black current jam and ice cream; red current jelly with roast duck; white currant eaten out of hand. The good news for city gardeners is the bushes are compact, a metre to metre-and-a-half in height and width, tolerating light shade. All will grow in most soils and will flourish when fertilized in spring and heavily mulched with composted animal manure. All are heavy producers. A single red currant bush can yield four kilograms of fruit.