Currant 'Red Lake' (Red)

Red Currant ‘Red Lake’ (Ribes rubrum ‘Red Lake’) is a vigorous, deciduous shrub prized for its abundant clusters of translucent, bright-red berries with a sweet-tart flavour. Blooming in early spring with delicate green catkins, it develops glossy green foliage that turns golden-yellow in autumn. Heavy-bearing and self-fertile, ‘Red Lake’ delivers a dependable harvest from mid- to late summer, perfect for jams, jellies or fresh snacking. Thriving in full sun to part shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil, it reaches 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft) tall and wide. Hardy in Canadian zones 3–7, it’s low-maintenance with simple annual pruning to maintain vigour.

Key Features
• Botanical name: Ribes rubrum ‘Red Lake’
• Common name: Red Currant ‘Red Lake’
• Hardiness zones: Canada Zone 3–7
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained; high in organic matter
• Height: 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft)
• Width: 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft)
• Foliage: Glossy green leaves turning golden-yellow in autumn
• Flower colour: Inconspicuous green catkins in early spring
• Fruit: Translucent bright-red berries; sweet-tart flavour; heavy clusters in mid- to late summer
• Maintenance: Low; prune in late winter to remove old wood and encourage new growth
• Advantages: Heavy-bearing and self-fertile; versatile for culinary uses; decorative fruit clusters; excellent cold hardiness