Growing Guide: Edible Berry Bushes
Currants
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Currants are grown as both ornamental and edible multi-stemmed shrubs.
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They have bright flowers in spring, colorful clusters of fruit, and fuzzy lobed leaves.
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Currants grow well in slightly acidic, well amended soil in full sun or filtered afternoon shade.
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Red and white currants can be planted closer together (3-5’) while black currants require more room to grow (5-6’).
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Currants should be pruned regularly in early Spring (remove 3-year-old stems) to ensure ample fruit production and good air circulation.
Gooseberry
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Gooseberries are self-fertile, multi-stemmed shrubs.
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Similar to currants, they have bright flowers in the spring, colorful berries and fuzzy lobed foliage.
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They grow well in slightly, acidic, well amended soil, in full sun or filtered afternoon shade.
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Gooseberries need room to grow (4’-5’) and regular pruning in the dormant season. (Remove 4-year-old stems).
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Produces on two-year-old wood.
Huckleberries
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Huckleberries are a hardy, self-fertile, North American evergreen shrub.
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They produce clusters of tiny white bell-shaped flowers in spring, followed by tiny blue-black fruit.
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Grow best in slightly acidic, well amended soil in full sun or filtered afternoon shade.
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They can be planted closer together when in full sun (3’ - 5’ apart), are fairly disease-resistant, and require only occasional pruning for shape.