Currants

Good for jams, juice and wine!

3 products

Currants - Grow Organic

Discover the Vibrant and Flavorful World of Currants

Currants, the tart, and vibrant berries are a delightful addition to any garden. Easy to grow and bursting with flavor, they are a versatile ingredient that can elevate both sweet and savory dishes. 

A Close Relative of Gooseberries

Currants belong to the same family as gooseberries and share some similarities in appearance and flavor. These small, round berries are known for their tartness and bright color, making them a popular choice for various culinary creations. Unlike many other fruits, currants are ready to harvest in early to mid-summer, offering an early taste of the season's bounty.

Culinary Delights with Currants

One of the remarkable aspects of currants is their versatility in the kitchen. The tartness of these berries lends itself well to a wide range of culinary applications. Here are some ways you can enjoy currants:

  1. Preserves and Jellies: Currants are prized for making delicious cordials, jellies, and jams. Their natural tartness adds a unique flavor to these preserves, making them a favorite among home cooks and chefs alike.

  2. Baking: Currants can be a delightful addition to baked goods. Whether you sprinkle them into muffins, scones, or cakes, their burst of flavor and bright color make for an inviting treat.

  3. Drying: Similar to dried grapes (raisins), currants can be dried to create a nutritious snack or used as a versatile ingredient in various recipes.

  4. Savory Dishes: Currants can be a surprising and delightful addition to savory dishes. They can be incorporated into sauces, stuffings, and salads, providing a sweet-tart contrast that elevates the overall flavor profile.

A Rich History

Currants have a storied history that stretches back centuries. They have been cultivated in Europe for generations, where the small, tart berries were used to make pies, jams, syrups, and even enjoyed as a wintertime treat when dried. In the 1600s, currants made their way to the Americas, quickly becoming a popular crop among farmers.

Today, currants are enjoyed worldwide. Whether eaten fresh, frozen, or transformed into jams and jellies, these berries continue to be a delightful way to savor the flavors of summer.

Cultivating Currants

Currants are a culinary treasure and a valuable addition to your garden. They are known for their longevity, deer resistance, and excellent winter hardiness. Additionally, currants can be trained as espaliers along fences, making them a space-efficient choice for gardeners.

When it comes to growing currants, they thrive in full sun, particularly in cooler, humid regions with ample summer rainfall. Ideal locations for currants include the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest, and various other parts of the country. In hotter climates, providing some shade during the hottest part of the day can help currants flourish.

Currants are a delightful and versatile addition to any garden and kitchen. Their rich history, ease of cultivation, and ability to enhance a wide range of dishes make them a valuable ingredient for both home gardeners and culinary enthusiasts. Whether you're preserving summer flavors or experimenting with new recipes, currants are sure to add a burst of color and flavor to your culinary adventures.

We carry the Consort European Black Currant (Ribes nigrum), a Wilder Red Currant and a Cherry White Currant.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.