Collection of red, white, pink currant bushes

Currant bushes grow wild in many temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe to Siberia, as far as Manchuria and in North Africa. The plant has been cultivated since the 16^th century throughout France except in Mediterranean region and Corsica, as it prefers cool climates. <strong>Two main categories of currants are grown, cluster currants</strong>, without thorns which produce small translucent tangy berries that are pale red, pink or white, and <strong>gooseberry bushes, which bear thorns and produce large solitary berries,</strong> round to ovate, downy and <strong>sweeter in flavour</strong>. You can <strong>form medium hedges that are both decorative and productive</strong> of around 1.3 to 1.5 m high. A currant plantation is usually productive for over 12–15 years if you take care to <strong>prune the bush regularly</strong>. <strong>Very hardy currants thrive in a cool environment and, depending on variety, require severe winters to fruit well</strong> (several hundred hours of slightly negative or slightly positive temperatures, accumulated per winter but not consecutive, are necessary). Make <strong>regular applications of compost or organic fertiliser</strong> in autumn or spring to maintain high levels of potash and nitrogen. <strong>Mulching is recommended</strong> both to retain soil coolness (compost, BRF or other), enrich it and limit weeds, and to water in case of prolonged drought. <strong>These bushes are indeed sensitive to lack of water</strong> because of shallow rooting <strong>and require a semi-shaded exposure in southern regions.</strong>