Alpine currant: description, types, cultivation

The article presents the Alpine currant: a description of the variety, types, guidance for reproduction, cultivation, care, use in landscape design.

Currants are berries that are grown in almost every garden in our country. However, it is not only actively grown and used in Europe, but also in Africa, Asia, the Caucasus and Morocco. Alpine currant is another type of these wonderful berries that grow on shrubs belonging to the deciduous and dioecious gooseberry family. Alpine currants are often used in the work of landscape designers to decorate the garden, making various shapes out of them, as a hedge or as a decor in parks.

Alpine currant: description

Alpine currant: photo

Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) - This type of shrub grows slowly, growing only 15 centimeters per year and only after 20 years, it will reach its maximum height of 2 meters and 1 to 2 meters in width. The branches of the bush are very densely arranged, they are straight and strong.

The leaves of the Alpine currant are three-lobed, saturated green, with stiff bristles and a glossy surface. The inner surface is light and smooth. The leaves are small, their length is no more than 4 centimeters, located close to each other along the branches. As for the flowers, their pedicels also have rigid bristles, and they themselves are green with a yellowish tinge. Their inflorescences in the form of tassels can have up to 30 male flowers and up to 5 female flowers. Flowering lasts for 14 days, usually in May, then fruits begin to form and from July to August the berries ripen and are ready to be harvested.

Alpine currant berries can reach a diameter of 8 mm, they are pink and have a mealy flavor. The bushes of this plant are more often used for decorative purposes, since its fruits are not very pleasant to the taste, but edible. True, they are often used when added to juices. They can be on the bush before the onset of frost and at the same time retain their appearance. Branches bear fruit for no more than 6 years, then they must be cut off in order to provide an opportunity for new ones to appear and continue to perform their functions in the garden.

The roots of the Alpine currant go deep into the ground and are very sensitive to its density. This species prefers to grow in semi-shaded areas or in the shade. It can grow well in open, sunny areas if the soil is constantly moist.

Due to its decorative effect, alpine currant bushes can decorate gardens from the moment the frosts end and until they begin. In the spring and summer, they will delight with their dense green foliage, and with the onset of autumn with their golden-green hues, as if dressing a bush in a festive outfit.

Alpine currant: types

Alpine currant appeared at the end of the 16th century and since then scientists have bred many other shrubs that can find their place in every garden. These include classic currants, currants with unusual red and yellow leaves, and dwarf varieties. In our country, the most popular among gardeners is such a variety of alpine currants as currants. Schmidt... This species is the most resistant to frost, to long dry periods, to strong winds, feels great in the shade and can decorate gardens and bear fruit for 40 years.It is ideal for decorating city streets, as it is not demanding and high gas pollution does not ruin it.

Alpine currant Schmidt prefers to grow on loose, well-drained, neutral or low acidity, nutritious soils. Please note that in this case, too fertile soil can do more harm to the plant than good. In such areas, the bush loses its compactness. Alpine currant Schmidt loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnant moisture, as this leads to the defeat of the root system by fungal diseases, which causes the plant to die.

Alpine currant Schmidt: photo of the variety

Another popular alpine currant is Aureum... It belongs to the dwarf species, in height it reaches no more than 1 meter. The bushes of this plant are unpretentious to climatic conditions and have a strong immunity, due to which they get sick a little. However, unlike other species, it loves open sunny areas or partial shade where most of the day receives sunlight. Its leaves are golden honey in color and are covered with a huge number of pale yellow inflorescences during the flowering period.

Alpine currant: photo

Pumilum-these bushes are dense with a crown of about 60 centimeters in diameter, the height of the plant does not exceed one and a half meters. Their shoots have an unusual curved shape and are surrounded by equally unusual carved leaves, which gives a particularly decorative look. This alpine currant has a high resistance to frost and differs from the rest in that its flowering begins only 5 years after planting and the rapid rooting of cuttings.

Alpine currant: photo

Laciniata is a tall alpine currant with serrated leaves. As with Pumilum, its cuttings root very well.

Alpine Schmidt currant and other varieties: planting and care

Reproduction of all types of Alpine currant occurs in three ways: Through cuttings, layering or using seeds.

The simplest and therefore most commonly used, cuttings. This should be done in the spring before the buds begin to bloom. To do this, last year's lignified shoots are cut 20 centimeters long and planted in containers with a previously prepared soil mixture from garden soil of humus and sand, and with the onset of spring they are transplanted to a permanent place of residence.

If you decide to grow your Alpine currant bushes through sowing seeds, then before sowing in open ground, they must be stratified. After that, the seeds are lowered into the ground to a depth of 50 mm. and lightly sprinkle. Next year, the seedlings can be transplanted to the plot prepared for them.

To propagate Alpine currants through layering, you will need shoots that are at least two years old. To do this, simply incline them to the ground, cover them with a layer of soil and place a small weight on top. Water regularly. When the shoots have developed roots, they are cut off from the mother plant and transplanted to another permanent location.

Alpine currants can be planted from early spring to the beginning of frost. The best option would be to plant seedlings grown at home or in greenhouse conditions, as they adapt to new conditions much faster and begin to grow.

When planting Alpine currants, the distances should be observed in order for the plant to be comfortable. However, the distances also depend on what role the currant bushes will play in the garden. For example, if you plan to create a fence with them, then they should be planted from each other at a distance of no more than one and a half meters. If these are bushes that will be grown as separate plants or to create figures, then the distances should be at least two meters.

Before planting Alpine currants, prepare the soil by adding a bucket of humus, 30 grams of potassium and 200 grams of phosphate.Inspect the seedlings well, removing any weak or damaged branches, and cut healthy ones by a third. Further, the plants are lowered into the holes at a half angle of 45 degrees so that the root collar is 5 centimeters above the surface. After you have planted a seedling, it must be watered abundantly and the earth must be tamped.

Alpine Currant Care Instructions

Alpine currant is an undemanding plant and does not require special care, but it will need to be given some time.
In order for the plant to develop correctly, it must be regularly watered, loosened the soil, fed and treated in time if it gets sick.

Watering. Before the plant takes root, it must be watered often, then they do not require frequent watering, and if it often rains outside, then they do not need it at all. In adulthood, you shouldn't think about watering at all, the plant ceases to need them and grows beautifully bearing fruit.

Loosening and weeding. The plant needs weeding only at the initial stage of growth. Removing weeds and loosening the soil allows oxygen and nutrients to penetrate the roots of the plant faster and better, which is very important during the growing season.

Fertilizers. Alpine currants need to be fed twice a year. The first time in the fall, for this using mullein, wood ash and humus. The second time in the spring during the flowering period, adding complex mineral fertilizers to the soil, which can be purchased at any specialized store or nursery.

Pruning. Pruning is done in early spring, before the plant wakes up. To do this, it is necessary to remove all frozen, weak, diseased and excess branches that are eating up to create the desired shape for the bush. Cut them off completely. After that, the other branches need to be aligned and given the shape you need. In the summer, you can correct the shape of the bush by cutting off the greenery.
Do not forget to sprinkle the cuts with ashes.

Shelters. Cover your plants for the winter for the first three years of life. Burlap works well with which you can wrap the trunk of a bush.

Diseases and pests. Alpine currants are very resistant to many diseases, however, diseases such as rust, terry or mottling can affect them. For the prevention of these diseases, it is important to properly water the plants, avoiding stagnant water, spray with Fitosporin, and treat the leaves with soapy water.
Among the pests that can harm plants, there can be aphids, scale insects, spider mites. If attacked, use fungicides.

Alpine currant: use in landscaping, hedge from the variety

Alpine currant: hedge

Alpine currant: hedge

Landscape designers love to use Alpine currant for landscaping city streets and for creating beautiful hedges. You can also use them to create interesting shapes right on your site. Alpine currant bushes can be easily trimmed, so the creation of figures will be limited only by the size of your imagination.

Alpine currant: hedge

notethat the Alpine currant has a very strong and developed root system, which requires a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, in order not to interfere with the growth and development of other types of shrubs and flowers, plant them separately.

Alpine currant: reviews of gardeners about the variety

• Anastasia Maksimovna, Samara region: “I have been choosing how to decorate my garden plot for a long time. Decorative black currant Alpine perfectly fit into the landscape design of the garden. The Alpine currant hedge turned out to be very even, spreading, as in the picture. I am very happy with my choice. In addition, the ornamental Alpine currant is very resistant to diseases and pests, which is also an undoubted advantage. "

• Victoria Vladimirovna, Sverdlovsk region: “I grow Alpine currant Schmidt in my garden as a hedge. I can say that despite the fact that the Alpine currant is generally recognized as undemanding to care for, the rules to water and feed it still need to be. Otherwise, Alpine currant Schmidt grow thin and unsightly. It is also important to avoid stagnation of moisture, it is necessary to constantly monitor this process for the best growing result. "

Conclusion

So what is alpine currant? It is an incredibly valuable plant that is very popular with gardeners and landscape designers. They can be used to decorate gardens and streets, make hedges out of them, and even use their fruits for food. They are tall, bushy and have a lot of foliage that looks great with the berries. There are many options for using Alpine currant, and most importantly, it does not require special care and can be with you for many years.

Alpine currant Schmidt: video about the variety