Redcurrant plants
Redcurrants are fantastic, easy-to-grow, heavy cropping bushes that do particularly well in colder northern regions. We believe they are under-utilised; not as widely grown as strawberry plants and raspberry bushes, but immensely rewarding. Closely related to blackcurrants but grown more like gooseberries, redcurrants are self-fertile, so you only need one plant for a bumper crop and there is no need to worry about what goes with what. Redcurrants are unfussy and adaptable, they can grow in semi-shaded or damp conditions, making them ideal for unproductive corners of a garden where other plants struggle, and are hardier than most other fruits, so are suitable for colder spots too (although frost pockets should be avoided). As long as the soil is reasonably good quality and not alkaline, they will usually do well. Once planted, redcurrant plants will remain productive for almost 20 years. Even if you don't want to eat the fruit, redcurrants are highly ornamental and a great way of attracting birds to your garden. If you had to weigh up the amount of harvest against the effort, space and expense of many edible plants, currants would come near the top of the list.