|
Ribes aureum var. villosum Black Currant - Crandall Uses: |
Ribes aureum var. villosum(formerly known as Ribes odoratum), or clove currant, is native to the central U. S. ‘Crandall’ is an old American clove currant variety that was first introduced in 1888. It is s selection from Kansas seed of a plant of wild currant which Mr. R. W. Crandall found near his farm. It is a thornless, loosely-branched, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3-4’ tall, but may reach 7’ in height. It is grown both for its attractive ornamental features (flowers, fruit and foliage) and for its tasty, edible fruit. Fruit looks like black current (Ribes nigrum), but is larger and somewhat milder in flavor. Clove-scented, trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers bloom in spring.
I have seen reports on the web that this is a dioecious shrub that requires both male and female plants for fruit production, but I am not sure of that claim. It doesn't fit with my experience, or the experience of the late Ron Lombough. I have one Crandall planted among standard european black currants, and I get fruit every year on the Crandal... lots of fruit each year.
One thing I like about Crandall is the ripe fruit can be eaten fresh.
