Garden Guide With James Kilkelly

HAVE you seen the many bunches of what look like grapes growing in people's gardens and hanging out over front walls during the last few weeks? Yes, I know it's hard to believe in grapes growing outdoors in Ireland, especially at this time of year. Well, the 'grapes' I'm talking about are grapes in appearance only, I'm afraid, but, nevertheless, they're still well worth growing. The plant producing the 'grapes' in question is a bushy shrub called Ribes sanguineum, also known as the flowering currant. A native of the US, it is frost hardy, and right now is laden down with pendulous reddish pink flowers. These flowers, which resemble miniature bunches of grapes, are held among the light green leaves from mid to late spring. The foliage is similar to that of the blackcurrant plant (to which it is related) because of the lobes on each leaf. This foliage produces reasonable displays of both red and orange autumn colours before leaf fall. So it's going to give you another period of colour and interest, aside from its spring flowering stage, if you plant it. Aromatic scent Both the flowers and leaves are aromatic, the leaves especially so when bruised or crushed, when they exude a blackcurrant-like aroma. Plant enough of these flowering currants in a group (five plants upwards) and you won't even need to damage the leaves to bask in their scent, as a mass planting releases a fair whiff once the heat of the sun hits them. This is how I have used flowering currant quite a lot, as a cluster in planting schemes, although it can also be employed as a showy specimen plant in a mixed border. It's worth bearing in mind though that this large deciduous shrub can have a ultimate height of three metres (9ft), with a spread of another three metres. The three varieties to look out for are Pulborough Scarlet (deep red flowers), King Edward VII (vivid scarlet flowers), and Brocklebankii (pink flowers among golden leaves). King Edward VII would be the one you would see most commonly planted. To ensure quick growth you should plant Ribes sanguineum in a position that has full to partial sun and an adequate supply of water. I would highly recommend this shrub if you have a problem growing plants due to air pollution, as it is very resistant to exhaust fumes etc. Where others have failed, this may very well be the one to succeed. In brief Flowering Currant's good points: â€Â¢ Grows in most soil types, although it thrives in moist and rich soil â€Â¢ A tough and low-maintenance shrub â€Â¢ Can be cut back hard if required â€Â¢ If already established, it can be transplanted throughout late autumn and winter, with high survival rates â€Â¢ Extremely pollution resistant â€Â¢ Classed by many gardeners as a classic garden plant â€Â¢ Wildlife love its size (to hide within) and its many flowers â€Â¢ If you would like to cut some flowering stems to bring indoors, they will last approximately six to ten days. Bring the outdoor scent indoors. Flowering Currant's poor points: â€Â¢ Can be classed by some as old fashioned â€Â¢ Emits a heady scent when brushed past, you better not have an aversion to the smell of blackcurrant.However to some this is a bonus. Flowering Currant's main pests and diseases: â€Â¢ Rust disease, in damp conditions and in areas of poor air circulation. Less a problem with a single specimen as air circulation is usually good around it, provided it is not planted in a poky corner. â€Â¢ Coral spot â€â€ orange lumps on stems and branches caused by a fungus entering by means of a broken stem or branch. It causes the plant to die back and can kill it over a period of time. Ensure your pruning cuts are clean, leaving no snags behind, and try to discourage children from driving a football towards the plant. Despite the few fungi that flowering currant can fall victim to, it is without doubt one of the toughest and most reliably flowering of the shrubs I have the pleasure of placing in gardens. I suggest you check it out, and see if you have room for a bunch of 'grapes' within your site. Until next week, happy gardening and remember that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.