Where did you get your currants?

My parents want to order currant plants and I know the watchdog has a lot of sources but wanted to know which ones you guys ordered from. I would really like to order ones that will fruit sooner than in a couple of years.

Whitman Farms is the best and One Green World is also very good. Double A Vineyards also sells a few varieties and the ones I got from them were the biggest plants I got from anyone. Don't expect any fruit the first year but you can get some the second year. Currants don't like heat so plant them in afternoon shade in Maryland.

Scott

Capt, I will be placing my first order with Whitman shortly, but have heard great things from many people. We have discussed a purchase in June for special stuff.

I purchased my currants from Indiana Berry Company (early purchases) and Raintree Nursery and One Green World. IBC does not get any recommendation from me. Labeling was poor and plant size small. I stopped ordering from them years ago. I have questions about the identity of a few things from them (did not have variety names). Raintree had a lot of varieties but tends to have significantly smaller currant and gooseberry plants than One Green World. So I speak strongly for One Green World. Every currant or gooseberry plant I have purchased from them has fruited the first year I received them or the next year. They have been my first choice for a number of years. Of course, if you are looking for some of the less common varieties, you may not have much choice.

I also purchased a few gooseberries from Edible Landscaping, which also sells currants. The company was OK for me to deal with, but the size of the plants was very small and disappointing. Of course, they have some varieties that are hard to find elsewhere, but I think some of them are available from Whitman's. Please don't think I am down on them - their plants have been healthy and they do honor their guarantee - just small plants. (I am in my 3rd year with a gooseberry from them that is still not fruiting)

Please be careful of some companies advertising "delicious red currant" or "giant white currant" (examples, not actual names) that do not tell you the true variety they are selling. You get what is in the pipeline with them rather than an identifiable variety. There are differences among the varieties. I was burned a few times starting out.

I got some reasonably decent sized bare root currant plants from Burnt Ridge Nursery. They have good prices. This wouldn't be a good time to order.from them, I think. It is better to plant bare root stock in late Winter or early spring, depending on your region.

I got some very nice gooseberries from Nourse this year. Their plants are great
RED

Just wanted to comment that my Swedish White currants fruited this year. They are the sweetest white currant I have encountered. Table quality rather than jelly only.

I, too, have ordered currants from One Green World, Raintree, and Nourse berry farms. I have been pleased with all plants received. The plants I got this year from OGW were about the same size as the ones I got this year from Raintree. Nourse plants are smaller and take longer to bear a large crop, but I think they might be slightly cheaper. Raintree does have a very broad selection. I have not tried Whitman yet - I wanted to but I see they are not shipping again until fall so I must be patient. Tick....tick...tick...

Claire

whats a currant?

Currants (red, black, white and pink) are fruits of the Ribes genus. They are not to be confused with the kind of currants that you bake with, for currant scones and stuff like that, which are technically called Zante currants and are in fact raisins, so they are a type of grape (Vitis genus).

Here are some web links to show you pictures of currants and more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackcurrant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redcurrant
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/currants.html

Here's a company that makes black currant juice and tells about the health benefits of blackcurrants.
http://www.currants.com/

Claire

we saw a candle named currant and saw the thread on them so was asking . thanks for the info on them.

hmmm see they dont like heat so wouldnt like it here.