Currant is a favorite garden berry. In our country, it is grown everywhere. This culture has gained popularity due to the taste, nutritional and healing properties. Breeders bred thousands of varieties of different colors of currant. Each of them has its own characteristics.
Currant varieties
Currants, like other crops, come in many varieties. Each of them has its own specific shape, size, color of berries, the consistency of pulp, taste, aroma and much more.
Varieties of currants differ from each other in the size of fruit brushes and the density of berries on them. And different ripening periods allow you to increase the period of fresh consumption of berries.
Red and white currants
Typically, the currant of these two colors is considered as one crop, since the berries differ only in color. Redcurrant was known as early as the 5th century. It was grown by the Dutch for beauty. First of all, its decorative qualities were appreciated, the berries were of no interest. Red currant has gained great popularity in Europe. In Russia, this culture was introduced only in the 15th century.
White currant became known much later. At the beginning of the last century, it was considered one of the varieties of red currant with atypical coloring of berries. These two varieties do not have a pronounced aroma, but differ in taste and useful properties. The best varieties of white and red currants are unpretentious to growing conditions, but they feel better on loamy and loamy soils. This is a very photophilous, undemanding to moisture plants. It should be remembered that with a lack of lighting, the berries lose their taste and color. The culture is resistant to disease and damage.
With proper care, these two varieties of currants give a high yield. Bushes strewn with red and white berries look very beautiful. Fruit formations of white and red currants are more durable than black currants, the berries are evenly distributed throughout the bush, they are less dense with shoots. The plant can bear fruit for 15-20 years, growing without transplanting to another place.
Redcurrant: varieties

- "Varshevich" is distinguished by its original coloring of fruits. They have a pronounced dark purple color. This is a self-made variety, ripens late. On a large, powerful bush, many rounded or slightly squeezed fruits are formed. Medium-sized berries with juicy purple flesh have a sour taste and form a long brush. The ripened fruits remain on the branches for a long time. For high productivity, unusual color of fruits and decorative bush, this variety of currant is popular among gardeners. Fresh berries are consumed less often, more often they are processed.
- "Beloved" - a variety that has a medium ripening period. The bush is characterized by small size, medium branching and thick straight stems. The berries are round in shape, bright and medium in size. There are many on the hands, and they are evenly distributed. The fruits of sweet and sour taste have a universal purpose. This variety is not afraid of severe frosts, it has a high yield and is not affected by powdery mildew.
- A typical representative of a medium-ripe variety of currants, the photo of which you see above, is "Svetlitsa". The bush is distinguished by medium size, compactness and erect shoots. Rounded berries are not large, but very juicy and tasty. This variety, despite the small berries, gives high yields and is not susceptible to fungal diseases.
Large-fruited red currants
- "Chulkovskaya" red currant belongs to the old variety, which today attracts the attention of amateurs and specialists of this type of culture by early ripening and taste of the fruit. It differs in the small bush size of the red currant variety. The best varieties include Chulkovskaya currants. Long brushes are strewn with large red berries of a round or pear-shaped shape. They are distinguished by a gentle, juicy pulp and a sweetish taste. Ripe berries, not crumbling, remain on the branches for a long time. This sweet grade of currant consumed fresh or processed.
- The yonker van tete variety has medium to early ripening times. This Dutch currant variety was bred in early 1941. In our country, it gained popularity in the nineties of the last century for its excellent taste and resistance to disease and damage. This variety produces high yields and is resistant to low temperatures. It is distinguished by a powerful, large, dense bush of red currant variety. The best varieties include this species. On long or medium-sized brushes, you can count up to ten very large, bright berries. The shape of the fruit is round or pear-shaped, they are covered by a dense, elastic skin. The pulp is juicy and very tasty. Therefore, they like to eat this currant fresh.
- Large-fruited currants of the "Ural beauty" variety belong to the best varieties of domestic selection. It is characterized by low spreading bushes and resistance to diseases. Therefore, the leaves retains until the first frost. Culture refers to early ripening. The disadvantage is that the yield increases gradually, in direct proportion to the long-term growth of wood. The berries are large in size, taste great and have a pleasant aroma.
Whitecurrant: varieties

- "Springbok" is a variety of white currant and has an average ripening period. The bushes of the plant are characterized by medium growth force, the branches are sprawling, with an abundant harvest they bend and lower. On medium-sized hands, there are usually many not very large berries of light pink color with a round shape. Sweet and sour fruits have a universal purpose. Ripe berries are stored on the brushes for a long time, do not crumble. At this time, they intensely acquire taste. White currant variety "hopper" is ideal for freezing. This variety bears fruit and has excellent taste.
- "Dutch" white currant belongs to the old variety, but has recently been aggressively replaced by other, more promising species. Although many gardeners believe that in vain. The bushes of this plant are not very sprawling, compact, which allows them to maximize the use of the plot area. This variety of currant bears fruit better on moist, fertile soil, and is resistant to low temperatures. The medium-sized berries have a rounded, slightly compressed shape. Their skin is transparent. Well visible seeds and veins on the surface. The pulp is juicier and tastes great. Ripe berries do not crumble, they are collected in one step. This currant is good fresh. But its processing will not affect the taste.
- White currant of the Versailles variety is well known to gardeners who plant it in their plots. It is attractive with high yields and tasty, large-sized berries. Its bushes are compact and medium in size. This currant gives large yields, growing on fertile soils. It tolerates frosts. Ripening time refers to the middle varieties. Large berries have a light cream color and a rounded shape. They in the process of growth almost do not change in size. Their skin is transparent, seeds and veins are peeping through it. The pulp is very juicy, it harmoniously combines sugar and acid, which gives the fruit a refreshing taste. The berry is especially good fresh. In addition, jam, stewed fruit, juices, syrups, jams and much more are prepared from it.
Redcurrant: benefits
The berries of red currant are rich in potassium, iron, succinic and malic acids. They contain pectin and carotene. The use of berries helps to remove excess fluid from the body, and serves as a prevention of heart and vascular diseases.
The fruits of red currant are used in the treatment of diabetes. They eliminate nausea and stimulate appetite. They are used as diuretics, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, laxatives and general strengthening agents. The use of malic and succinic acids contained in berries energizes the body. Therefore, they are recommended for the elderly. Redcurrant juice maintains the tone of the body at the proper level.
Red Currant Harm
The benefits of red currant are obvious and undeniable. But with some diseases, it can be harmful. In this case, it must be excluded from the diet. The use of juice is strictly contraindicated for people suffering from gastric ulcer, hepatitis, gastritis and decreased blood clotting.
Black currant
The name of this type of culture comes from the word "currant", which in translation from Old Russian means "persistent smell" characteristic of this species. Currants are black to the liking of gardeners, and its delicious berries have long been loved by children and adults. Description currant varieties provides the opportunity for a large selection of crops. After all, this plant is characterized by resistance to low temperatures and fungal diseases. Blackcurrant is a quick-growing, high-yielding crop with annual fruiting. It does not differ in large requirements for growing conditions. And its berries have excellent taste and healing properties.
Blackcurrant: varieties

- "The Little Prince" is an early variety. It features a low bush and its convenient shape, which simplifies harvesting. It is resistant to all diseases, severe frosts and prolonged drought. Fruits regularly and abundantly. Berries on the brushes are densely arranged and ripen at the same time. This facilitates their collection. Brushes are small in size, are paired and single. The berries are juicy, bright black in color, covered with a thin delicate peel. Lovers of sweet and sour fruits they will like.
- "Openwork" black currant belongs to a highly self-fertile variety. It is resistant to frost. He is not afraid of sudden weather changes. The intense heat does not oppress him. Fruits regularly and has a stable average yield. This culture is resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose. But sometimes affected by kidney mites. Curved thick brushes are short and medium in size. The round-shaped berries are large, shiny and have a sweet, sour taste. If you choose which varieties of currants are better, you can stop there.
- Bagira belongs to the late cultivar and is characterized by high frost resistance and plentiful harvests. A slight freezing of the shoots is observed, if frost and thaws often alternate. This variety is not damaged by terry and anthracnose, but powdery mildew can sometimes harm the plant. On thin small branches, the fruits are evenly distributed. Berries have the same size and pronounced black color. Shiny thin skin is very durable. The fruits have a delicate aroma and a sweet taste.
Large blackcurrant
- "Exotic" is the largest fruit variety of black currant. It has a high yield and early ripening. The bush is powerful, tall, upright branches, strong. Do not bend from the severity of large berries that uniformly form a brush. The fruits are juicy, have a pleasant sweet taste. The best blackcurrant varieties are represented by this type of culture.
- "Aleander" refers to varieties of large-fruited black currants. It features a tall, sprawling bush and branches lying under it. The leaves are dark green in color, powerful and slightly wrinkled. The plant is resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose, but prone to damage by kidney mites. The culture of this variety of currant tolerates the harsh winter months, but drought is not a comfortable condition for its growth and abundant fruiting. On long, thick arched-shaped brushes there are many large berries. They have a pleasant taste and fragrant aroma.
- "Selechenskaya-2" is one of the best black currants. On tall, compact bushes there are many strong branches that do not need a garter. This variety is not afraid of fungal and tick-borne diseases. Very rarely, it is hit by a kidney tick. This is a universal variety that tolerates severe frosts and prolonged heat. On strong curved hands there are a lot of very large berries, similar to gooseberries. The fruits are covered with strong, thick skin. During the harvest do not tear. The berries are tasty, sweet, have a peculiar delicate aroma.
Useful properties of black currant
The description of the currant varieties will not be complete, if not to mention their benefits. Blackcurrant is the most useful berry of all. It is called a pantry of substances necessary for humans. It has excellent taste and is appreciated for its high healing properties. The berry contains a large amount of ascorbic acid, carotene and biotin, which is called the vitamin of youth.
Blackcurrant has long been widely used in folk medicine. The content of iron, potassium and magnesium allows the use of fruits and leaves for anemia, vascular and heart diseases. Blackcurrant is rich in pectins, volatile, essential and tannins.
The berry of this variety of currant lowers cholesterol, cures eczema and skin diseases, and helps with depression and stress. An ulcer and gastritis are treated with flowers and young leaves of blackcurrant, and rheumatism and buds are treated with berries. Currently, there are thousands of recipes for various diseases based on blackcurrant.
Currant disease
Currants, like other plants, are affected by diseases and damaged by pests. If you plant the best varieties of currants on your site, you can avoid infection with many infectious diseases. But you need to know the most common ones.
- Anthracnose is a disease of leaves, their petioles, stalks and fruits. It affects plants starting in May. It is characterized by the appearance of small brown spots that grow over time. Leaves begin to turn yellow, curl and fall. Shoots slow down growth and do not have time to mature. To prevent the disease in the early spring and late autumn should dig the earth around the bush. And before the buds bloom, spray with a solution of vitriol. You can apply Bordeaux liquid. It is sprayed four times during the growing season: during budding, at the end of flowering, half a month after flowering, after harvesting.
- Terry is a viral disease and therefore can spread rapidly. The carriers are bedbugs, bud mites and aphids. This disease is characterized by a change in the shape and color of leaves and flowers. The plant ceases to bear fruit. To combat the disease, branches are cut or the entire bush is removed. The main thing is to fight the spread of the disease.
Currant Pests
- The kidney tick is very small, it can only be viewed through a magnifying glass or a magnifying glass. It damages the buds of the plant, which acquire a spherical shape and do not release leaves and flowers. A tick waits for winter in the kidneys. Distributed through planting material, birds and insects. Effective means of combating this pest have not yet been invented. But the struggle must be waged. For this, the plant is sprayed several times: before budding, two weeks after it and before flowering. There are a lot of solutions for spraying. In any store they are presented in a large assortment.
- The sawfly has a good appetite. He eats all the leaves. Its larvae are found in cocoons that are buried in the ground under a plant bush. Here the pest is waiting for the winter. The fight against it consists in autumn digging and spraying in several stages: when buds open, buds form, at the end of flowering. To prevent the pest from breeding, its larvae are periodically shaken and burned.