Currant Magnus

Currants fruit trees can be cultivated as either free-standing bushes or hedges. They thrive in the shade of other trees or on the south side of buildings and can easily fit into a small garden, provided they are shielded from the hot afternoon sun.

Currant Magnus features soft green leaves that emit a strong currant flavor when crushed. Shiny black, round, and juicy berries can be harvested during December and January. The berries have a tart, sharp taste, which becomes sweeter when fully ripe. They can be enjoyed fresh, frozen whole, or used to make jelly, jam, juice, and added to ice cream, cordial, or liqueurs.

Post-planting care involves:

1. Pruning young bushes back to two buds above the ground initially, then allowing them to grow without pruning for the first two seasons.
2. After two seasons, maintain the size by pruning, which involves removing old stems down to a new low bud and cutting away at least one-third of the old canes.
3. Aim to maintain 8-10 shoots per bush.

Each cane should remain for a maximum of three years. Encourage new growth by cutting old wood back to new buds in the winter. Note that red and white currants tend to grow slightly shorter than black currants, reaching heights of 1-1.5 meters.