Description
Zitavia is a classic white currant: upright, tidy, and carrying sweet flavorful berries in the hanging clusters that make currants so quick to pick. The upright form is worth noting, because a currant that holds itself up is far easier to prune and to harvest than one that sprawls.
White currants are the mild members of the family. They carry the same clean acidity as a red currant but at a much lower level, which is why people who find red currants sharp often take to them straight away.
Overview
- Sweet, flavorful, pale translucent berries.
- An attractive upright form, easy to prune and pick.
- A classic European white currant.
- Mild enough for fresh eating; excellent in clear jelly.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ribes rubrum ‘Zitavia’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; rich, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 3
Rootstock: Grown from cuttings
Bearing Age: Light crop the year after planting; full crops by the third or fourth year
Size at Maturity: Upright and compact, about 3 to 5 ft tall and wide
Ripening Time: Mid season; July into August
Pollination: Self-fertile; one bush sets a full crop, and a second currant nearby increases berry size
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Ask anyone on our team which currant to start with and this is the one they name. It has held that spot for years.
- Regional Insight: Currants are cool-climate fruit, at their best where summers stay moderate and winters are properly cold.
- Explore more berries in our collection: Berries
