Redcurrant Rondom - Ribes rubrum

The 'Rondom' redcurrant bush, in Latin Ribes rubrum 'Rondom', is an old variety of redcurrant bush that is always appreciated for its high yields and particularly tasty tangy berries. It is a self-fertile, late variety, with fruits that ripen from July onwards and can be harvested until August. This bush can be grown in the ground or in a pot, and it is perfect for cottage gardens and fruit hedges, also providing a good source of nectar for bees. Easy to grow in non-scorching sunlight, in well-drained, moist soil.

The 'Rondom' redcurrant bush is a Dutch horticultural creation by Rietsema. The wild species, Ribes rubrum, belongs to the Grossulariaceae family. It has been cultivated for a long time and grows naturally in many temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe to Siberia and as far as Manchuria.

Ribes rubrum 'Rondom' is a bushy shrub, without thorns, with a slightly spreading habit of slightly stiff branches, whose wood is soft and has abundant pith. An unpruned bush will reach approximately 1.50 m in all directions. It can also be trained on wires or as a cordon to control its size. The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic, medium green leaves.

The 'Rondom' redcurrant bush blooms in early May, with clusters of small inconspicuous greenish to brownish flowers, intensely visited by bees. Fruiting mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. The bush produces numerous pendulous clusters composed of small round and translucent berries, light red when ripe, containing small seeds. The harvest takes place as the fruits ripen, starting from early July.

The currant is a low-calorie fruit (whether it is white or red), rich in minerals and trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. It is also a good source of vitamin C and fibre. The currants of this 'Rondom' variety are perfect for pie fillings, making jelly, or puddings.

In the garden, the redcurrant bush is a modest-looking shrub for most of the year. But it becomes attractive when its branches are filled with long clusters of blood-red berries that glisten in the summer light. The pleasure is threefold, visual and tasty, but also the smell when its warm foliage scents the garden. It pairs well with white currant bushes such as 'Gloire des Sablons' or with gooseberry bushes. You can also mix them with ornamental fruiting shrubs (inedible), such as Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa), callicarpas, Nandina domestica, snowberries... For small gardens or to save space, it is a good idea to train this redcurrant bush 'Rondom' against a wall or as a standard.

The redcurrant bush can be a great addition to a patio orchard, as it grows well in large pots, starting from a depth of around forty centimetres, although care should be taken not to water it with excessively hard water.

The wild redcurrant bush Ribes rubrum has medicinal properties. It is used for the treatment of rheumatism and infectious diseases, especially since the fruits are consumed fresh.