A wealth of species and varieties of currants: black, red, white, golden, burgundy and green

In Russia, currants have been grown since time immemorial. Along with gooseberries and raspberries, this berry never goes out of style. It is unpretentious to care for, productive, good both fresh and processed. One of the first currants are planted in plots when laying a new garden. Now there is a large selection of varieties for every color and taste: white, red, green, black, and also yellow, which can also be with red or black berries. How to make sense of this diversity? How to choose the exact variety that will delight you and your loved ones with a tasty and healthy berry for many years? In this article we will try to help you with this.

A little about wild currants

In the wild, red and black currants are found in Siberia and Northern Europe. All varieties we know are bred on the basis of these plants. The most fragrant is currant with black berries, and due to the large amount of essential oils, all parts of the plant have a characteristic odor. Buds, thin pieces of shoots are added to tea, the leaves are used as a spicy addition to marinades, pickles and to flavor drinks. They can be fermented like a tea leaf for a delicious decaf tea.

Forest currant with black berries is the most fragrant

Criteria for choosing a variety of currants

At present, a large number of varieties of domestic and foreign selection are known that can be grown in various regions. When choosing a variety, various factors are taken into account:

• frost resistance - the ability of a plant to endure low temperatures for a long time is a genetic factor;
• drought resistance - the ability of plants to tolerate a lack of moisture with minimal yield losses. This is one of the important factors when growing in arid regions, where high summer temperatures and occasional rain are common in summer, since currants are a moisture-loving plant;
• the size of the berries is taken into account not least. Previously, plants with berries weighing 1.5-2 g were considered large-fruited. Currently, there are varieties of currants with berries weighing from 4 to 5.5 g (varieties of black currant Lucia (3.6-5.5 g), Treasure (2– 4 g), Exotic (3.5–5 g) Red currant berries are smaller (for example, the Natalie variety weighs 1 g, and the Jonker Van Tets - 1.5 g).

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You can find advertisements for the sale of remontant currants. Are there such varieties or is it a publicity stunt?

Remontant (from French remontant - to rise again, bloom again) - the ability of plants to bloom and bear fruit repeatedly or repeatedly during one growing season. Reparability can be observed in citrus crops, ornamental shrubs (remontant, hybrid tea and other roses, some types of spirea), berry (some varieties of raspberries, strawberries) and herbaceous plants (ever-flowering begonia, ageratum, lobelia, etc.).

Currently, there are no officially registered varieties of remontant currant.

Varieties of currants

When choosing a plant for planting, gardeners most often choose black or red currants, less often they opt for yellow or white. And few people know about currants with green berries. It is impossible to tell in detail about all the known varieties in one article, we will consider some of them.

Black currant

In the old days, it was called "puddle", because it loves moist soil and does not like the sun, it grows well in a little shade. However, if the humidity is too high, the plant is affected by the fungus. There are now many varieties that are resistant to commondiseases of black currant.

Table: some varieties of black currant

Photo gallery: popular varieties of black currant

Red currant

This type of currant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and reliability in fruiting. It grows well and brings good stable yields in the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions. Red currant flowers can tolerate a short-term drop in temperature to minus three degrees. The bush does not have a strong characteristic odor.

Table: some varieties of red currant

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Photo gallery: popular varieties of red currant

White currant

White currant is a type of red. Milk to cream colored berries, sweeter than red or black. Does not cause allergic reactions. Has a delicate aroma. The yield is high. The berries stay on the branches for a long time. Dislikes highly moist soils. In sunny areas it bears fruit better, and in the shade the berries grow more acidic.

Table: some varieties of white currant

Photo gallery: popular varieties of white currant

Yellow, or golden, currant

People sometimes call it "crandal", but this is not a general name, but one of the varieties with which IV Michurin worked. The color of the yellow currant berries can be different: the Saffron variety has yellow berries, Purple - purple-brown, Ondine - black. Naturally, golden currants are found in North America. In Europe it has been known since the 18th century, first as a decorative culture.

There is no wide variety of golden currant varieties. This variety is very unpretentious and can grow in any conditions. Golden currants are able to withstand severe frosts, do without watering for a long time. It will delight you with the harvest, even if it grows in the shade, where other varieties of currants practically do not bear fruit.

Table: some varieties of golden currant

Photo gallery: varieties of golden currant

Burgundy currant

This variety includes currants with pomegranate or cherry-colored berries. It can be either red or gold.

Table: some varieties of burgundy currant

Photo gallery: popular varieties of burgundy currants

Green currant

Currant with green berries was obtained in Russia in the 30s of the XX century. Such a plant did not arouse interest among breeders and did not have a demand among gardeners. The variety was safely forgotten. However, in Europe, a plant with an unusual color of ripe berries attracted attention. German and Finnish breeders began to work with him. New varieties have appeared. The most famous of the foreign ones is Vertti. In the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation there are registered varieties of Russian breeding - Emerald Necklace, Gold of the Incas, Tear of Isis and others.

Why are currants with green berries attractive? First of all, by its productivity and unpretentiousness. In terms of the composition of vitamins and microelements, it is not inferior to red and black currants, and the taste is sweeter. Ripens late, towards the end of August, when other berries are scarce. It does not have a strong characteristic odor, does not cause allergic reactions. In addition, green currants are practically not affected by fungal diseases and are resistant to pests.

Table: some varieties of green currants

Photo gallery: popular varieties of green currants

Disease and pest resistant varieties

Cultivated plants are more susceptible to disease than their wild counterparts. The work of breeders is aimed not only at improving the quantity and quality of berries, but also at increasing the resistance of plants to pathogens of various diseases and pests. Fungal diseases such as anthracnose (affects the leaves), powdery mildew (leaves and berries suffer), rust (manifests itself on the leaves) cause great damage to the plantings of currants. On red and white currants, the fungus causes the shoots to dry out. In addition to fungal diseases, plants can be affected by viruses (for example, double leaves).

Powdery mildew often affects black currants

Pests also do not bypass currants. Gall aphids, fire flies or spider mites do not refuse this plant.

Disease and pest resistant varieties allow you to get large yields without spending a lot of effort on caring for them:

• black currant - Binar, Summer Resident, Titania, Cypriana, Memory of Vavilov, Temptation, Raisin, Mermaid;
• red currant - Serpentine, Natalie, Sugar, Marmalade, Valentinovka, Ilyinka;
• white currant - all varieties except Versailles;
• yellow and green currants - all varieties are very resistant.

Currant varieties for different regions

When choosing a variety for planting, first of all, you should take into account the climatic characteristics of your region. Better to opt for plants that are adapted to the conditions of your area. A large selection of zoned varieties allows you to do this.

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Southern regions of Russia

In the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions, winter begins in late November. The coldest month is January (-10 ^aboutFROM). Lowering the temperature to -25 ^aboutC and more are frequent, but short-term. Cold days are often followed by thaws. Such fluctuations lead to the formation of an ice crust not only on the surface of the earth, but also on the branches. This causes great harm to the plants. The buds freeze, branches break under the weight of the ice. The snow cover is not kept everywhere and its thickness is insufficient for a good wintering of plants.

Spring is short, at the end of April and in May the temperature can often rise to + 22-25 ^aboutC. Summers are hot with minimal rainfall. Droughts come here with enviable consistency. Air temperature in the shade + 35-40 ^aboutC is also a common occurrence.

Autumn rains are not always sufficient. However, despite the climatic difficulties, fruit and berry crops can be successfully grown here. The following varieties of currants have proven themselves well:

• black - Gulliver, Belarusian sweet, Titania, Vologda;
• red - Marmalade, Natalie, Detvan, Beloved;
• white - Viksne, Boulogne, Wonderful, Versailles white;
• yellow and green - all varieties are suitable, since they are drought-resistant.

In arid regions, a lot of watering is required

Middle zone of Russia

The Moscow region, Central Russia and the Black Earth region are characterized by mild winters with good snow cover. Average temperature -8-13 ^aboutC, frosts at -30 ^aboutC are not frequent. Summers are moderately humid. Extreme heat is rare and short-lived. Average summer temperature + 22-26 ^aboutC is most plant-friendly. Autumn is warm and humid. Although it is recommended plant currants in autumn, it is worth considering that a lot of rain at this time of the year can be the cause of fungal diseases. For this region, the most suitable varieties of currants, resistant to diseases, medium frost resistance:

• black - Detskoselskaya, Moscow, Nara, Belorusskaya sweet, Nestor Kozin;
• red - Dear, Yonker Van Tets, Natalie, Rosetta;
• white - Smolyaninovskaya, Bayana, Cream, Diamond (White Fairy), Versailles;
• yellow and green - all varieties are suitable.

North of Russia

In North-West Russia and in the Leningrad Region, snow cover can last up to 200 days a year. Frost on average about -20-25 ^aboutC, significant depressions are possible, but short-lived. A large amount of snow allows the currants to endure the winter, even with low frost resistance. Return frosts are frequent in spring.

In summer, the temperature is within + 15-20 ^aboutC. Hot days (up to +30 ^aboutC) are rare. From April to October, up to 70% of the annual rainfall falls. In such conditions, preference was earlier given to more reliable and unpretentious red currants, since black currants with high humidity were often affected by diseases.

For this region, it is better to give preference to early and mid-season varieties of currants that are resistant to diseases:

• black - Openwork, Venus, Vologda, Leningrad giant, Gulliver, Petersburg woman;
• red - Gift of the summer, Viksne, Rosa, Yuterborg, Roland;
• white - Smolyaninovskaya, Versailles;
• yellow and green - all varieties.
  

  In regions with rainy and cold summers, currants can be affected by anthracnose

Belarus

Winters in Belarus are mild. The average temperature during this period is -5-10 ^aboutC. There is snow cover practically throughout the entire territory. Summers are warm, without sudden temperature changes (on average + 17-23 ^aboutC), with frequent rains. Autumn is damp, but rather warm. Currant is one of the favorite berry crops here; a large number of varieties are grown.

Plants with low frost resistance and high disease resistance thrive in the Belarusian climate. Late-ripening varieties ripen well. Therefore, we can safely recommend the following varieties of currants:

• black - Belarusian sweet, Heiress, Opening day, Golubichka, Sorceress, Katyusha;
• red - Yonker Wat Tets, Rosetta, Natalie, Detvan, Beloved;
• white - Belyana, Holland pink, Jumping, Krynichka;
• yellow and green - all varieties.

Ural

The Ural region stretches from north to south. Because of this, in summer, the temperature difference is very significant: from + 6-8 ^aboutFrom up to + 22-24 ^aboutC respectively. In winter, this difference is not so significant. Return frosts in spring are common, especially in the northern regions of the region. The varieties are selected taking into account these features:

• for the north of the Urals, frost-resistant, disease-resistant, early-maturing varieties are suitable;
• in the southern part of the region, mid- and late-ripening varieties ripen.

It is better to select plants with different flowering periods, so the probability of damage to all plantings by recurrent frosts will be less. The most suitable varieties of currants will be:

• black - Dashkovskaya, Sibylla, Nina, Gift to Kuzior, Atlas, Venus;
• red - Ural beauty, Dutch pink, Beloved;
• white - Ural white, Versailles, Belyana, Primus;
• yellow and green - all varieties.

Siberia

In Siberia, winters are frosty and snowy. There are no large temperature jumps. The duration of winter here is 5–7 months. Summer is not very hot, there is plenty of precipitation. Plants that are unpretentious and frost-resistant are better suited for this region. Early and mid-ripening varieties will be more suitable, although in the south of the region, late currants have enough time to ripen. The following varieties are suitable:

• black currant - Hercules, Lucia, Riddle, Altai late;
• red currant - Generous, Beloved, Sarah, Rosetta;
• white currant - Minusinskaya white, White Potapenko;
• yellow and green - all varieties.

Ukraine

In Ukraine, the coldest month is January (-10 ^aboutC), in the southern regions in winter, temperatures above zero can be kept. Summer is warm from +22 ^aboutFrom to +25 ^aboutS. Precipitation falls more in mountainous regions (Carpathians), but there are enough of them in the rest of the territory.Fertile soils, mild climate, frequent rains are favorable for growing a large number of varieties:

• black currant - Sofievskaya, Zhemchuzhina, Yubileynaya Digging, Krasa Lvova, Yadrenaya;
• red - Darnitsa, Enchantress, Valentinovka, Ural beauty;
• white - Belyana, Dutch white, Versailles, Ural white;
• yellow and green - all varieties.

Reviews

This year I really liked the currant Orlov waltz. Large and sweet. She is my second year, the first time bearing fruit. I love the Leningrad giant and the Belarusian sweet. It is a pity that I lost these varieties.

I would like to recommend one more variety of black currant - Lazy. My bush is three years old, the "variety testing" has passed in full measure this year, in the past the berries were smaller and very few in number. Late, with sweet large berries, I took off the harvest today and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. I recommend it to all lovers of black currant in central Russia.

Advantages: unusual color of berries, useful berry, sweet, fruit well. White currants are actually a variety of red currants, so they are just as useful as they are chemically similar. For me personally, white currants are the most delicious if you choose from red, black and white. It does not sour, so when fresh, you can eat it without fear of getting sore on your teeth. A sweet and delicate berry, resistant to weather changes, and also bearing fruit until the fall!

I have been growing golden currants for several years. Resistant to frost, drought and disease. My wife really likes the berry to her taste, that's why I planted it. The bush is a little tall and you have to tie it around so that the branches do not tilt. A prerequisite - you need to plant only varietal golden currants, and not wild-growing - the difference in the taste and size of the berries is significant.

The history of growing currants goes back more than one hundred years. A wide variety of varieties with different ripening periods, taste and color of berries, frost resistance and disease resistance allows you to choose a plant for every taste and for any region. For your care, the currant will generously present you with a tasty and healthy berry.

Related entries:

Technology of growing currants, especially planting and caring for shrubs in different regions

Planting currants at their summer cottage: technology, features and unconventional methods

Simple ways of breeding currants at their summer cottage