Whether you plant this as a specimen or better yet, as a hedge, Alpine Currant will work for you. A shrub in weakened condition may be injured or possibly killed by severe pruning. Finally put some mulch (e.g., wood chips, leaves) around the new plantings. It’s a simple process, and can be done while pruning to get two jobs out of the way at once. Sambucus canadensis – American Elder . Green Mound Alpine Currant is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Very low maintenance with no … The leaves and narrow branches allow alpine currant can be used nice background plant or as a hedge plant that requires little shearing. Pruning currant bushes is necessary to keep the form of the plant, remove any diseased material and, most of all, to keep the plant’s interior open. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring just before new growth begins. After you do this pruning, apply some fertilizer to the entire hedge. Trim no shorter than 2 feet. 10-10-10 would be a good choice. The hedge is overgrown and I'd like to do a major pruning to rejuvenate it. These shrubs should be pruned 4-6 weeks after flowering. It leafs out early, but retains its foliage all summer long and grows in sun or shade. When pruning always remember to use clean, sharp tools to reduce damage. Can reach up 3-6 ft. in height and spread (90-180 cm). Prune at any time of year (flowers are insignificant) or simply allow plant to grow naturally. Currants are quite possibly the easiest of all woody plants to propagate from cuttings. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring just before new growth begins. Prune your alpine currant hedge in early spring, before new growth begins. Extremely winter hardy. Rosa knockout – Knockout Roses . Rosa rugosa – Rugosa Rose . During the first three years of growth, allow four or five canes to develop per year. However, do this as soon as possible. This is also a good time to take hardwood cuttings to propagate more currant bushes. Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) is a dense shrub so make sure to remove its interior bulk to allow light into the center of the shrub. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. Renewal pruning can be done every year in the spring on a mature alpine currant. First cut away all dead, diseased and intersectiong branches. 777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, ON, Canada M3C 1P2 | Phone: 416-397-1345, Copyright © Toronto Master Gardeners 2019, Gardening Guides provide introductory information on a broad range of horticultural topics. Trimming should help it fill in any thin areas. With alpine currant branches free from leaves, your hedge's form is easily seen and shaped. This shrub is excellent in mass or foundation planting in the landscape. You may not want to do such pruning on … A compact and upright, densely branched shrub with leaves to the ground, popular for hedging, takes pruning extremely well, makes an excellent low formal border, tough and adaptable; good fall color; more resistant to disease than the species I think I should prune off these horizontal branches- it will mean a drastic diminuation but I think it Is the only way to get small bushes again. Alpine Currant. You may not want to do such pruning on any of the new plantings that you are making this fall. Rejuvenation is a method of pruning old shrubs that have become too large. University of Illinois information. Expand. Renewal pruning involves removing one to five of the largest branches of the shrub down to the ground each spring to help encourage new growth. But, it will still grow to 2 - 3 feet, or at least try. Tolerates full shade. It is easy to maintain the desired size on these small bushes. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- How to Prune Alpine Currant Hedges. Pendulous clusters of vivid, crimson flowers make this the most richly colored variety of flowering currant. The reason for this is you want the energy of the shrub go into the roots and not into the foliage. Having had more than 20 years of experience with growing alpine currants in Northern Minnesota, I have planted them around this time of the year (late September). The listed plants will respond to this pruning if they are in good health and have a substantial root system. The new plantings may not completely fill in the gaps during 2019 but they certainly should by 2020. Habitat. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. Alpine currant grows best in a fertile soil, in full sun to full shade. a deciduous shrub; twiggy adn dense; 3' to 6' tall; equally wide or greater; ... can be rejunvenated with heavy pruning; prune anytime; Landscape Use. Blue black berries are a favorite of birds. Feel free to do this so that only about 6 to 8 inches remain above the ground. Uses. Here are a couple of sites dealing with pruning: https://www.ehow.com/how_5763660_prune-alpine-currant-hedges.html, http://www.hawkslandscape.com/alpine-currant-pruning-winter-care-and-fertilizing/. When pruning always remember to use clean, sharp tools to reduce damage. Tolerates some drought. Feel free to prune your hedge anytime thereafter, mainly to achieve the shape and form that you want. Cut the new plants back to about half their height. There are a number of cultivars of this currant shrub available. Keeping the older stems will allow them to continue to grow berries. Do your rejuvenation pruning early next spring (late March, early April assuming the snow is not too deep) before any foliage emerges. Tolerates full shade. Alpine Currant Growing and Maintenance Tips. Alpine currant  (Ribes alpinum ) is a dense shrub  so make sure to remove its interior bulk to allow light into the center of the shrub. Cut away all dead, diseased, crossing and intersectional branches first. Female varieties produce scarlet berries in summer. Pruning alpine currant hedges is easy, however, as long as you use the right technique and do your pruning at the right time of year. Rosa carefree – Carefree roses . Beautiful grouped or massed in a shrub border. Tolerates some drought. Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) is a hardy, low mounded shrub commonly used as a hedge.Plants are tolerant of full sun to full shade. Cut new shoots and stems down to 5 leaves in mid-summer. This plant has some cultivated varieties. Head back one-year-old shoots to the next growing point to force branching. This type of pruning is carried out over a 2-3 year period  making sure to remove only 1/3 of the old growth each year. The nature of the plant is to grow to nearly 3 feet tall and you should trim to the shape you want. They can be pruned any time of the year and tolerate even a heavy pruning. Between winter and summer, the bush will grow a lot, so you will need to prune it again. Remove only weak or damaged wood. How short can I cut it? After planting, water the new plantings daily for at least two weeks. The best time to do rejuvenation pruning is late in the dormant season - February or early March. Prune established currant and gooseberry shrubs annually in late winter (early March), before new growth appears, to encourage vigor and fruit production. Looks beautiful in the garden as a specimen or clipped hedge. It looks like it has gotten out of hand as in many places the main branches grow vertical for 6-12 inches and then horizontal for 3 or more feet. If you prune these shrubs in late winter, there’s an excellent chance you’ll cut out branches that contain flower buds. Never let it go more than 12 inches or you'll lose the shape. Prune to desired size and shape Usually removing about ⅓ of the overall size All Tree Form Hydrangea Paniculata Types Trim the head back to about 2′ before it starts to grow in early spring One of its best qualities is its small, rich green leaves. Currant pruning is a quick annual chore and part of regular maintenance. Feel free to do this so that only about 6 to 8 inches remain above the ground. Do not apply any fertilizer, especially if it contains nitrogen. As the plant matures, more heavy pruning is required to help increase the longevity of the shrub. Clay soil. Ribes do not actually need pruning to flower well, however, if the shrub has been planted in the wrong place and outgrown its position, then you will need to prune the Ribes: To get it back into proportion, and; Regularly to ensure that it does not again outgrow its … We live in Scarborough and have an alpine current hedge in a almost totally shaded area. Prune at any time of year (flowers are insignificant) or simply allow plant to grow naturally. Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) is a hardy, low mounded shrub commonly used as a hedge. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Bare Root - Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure success. Pruning should occur either before or as soon after planting as possible. Very low maintenance with no ornamental appeal than its dense green foliage. Beginning in the fourth year, prune out the oldest wood annually. Grows with an upright oval habit when young, spreading with age. Am I correct, and do I need to wait until late winter/early spring? Extremely winter hardy. Plan a second pruning for midsummer, after bright green spring foliage matures to dark green. Plants are tolerant of full sun to full shade. Autumn color is yellow. hedge plant; massing or groupings; Liabilities. Pruning - After Planting. The leader ( main stem or root ball of freezing to keep it straight level., grapes, gooseberries, currants, and blueberries are outlined below moist well-drained! Alpine Currant's neat shape is easily maintained, making it an excellent choice for hedging. Ribes alpinum, commonly called alpine currant, is a compact, mound-forming shrub which grows 3-6' tall. Pruning will do this. Prune any time of the year. Thank You. native to Europe; hardy to zone 2; Habit and Form. You can prune the hedge again in mid-summer if needed. On the other hand, shrubs like Dogwoods, grown for their foliage, should … Alpine currants are very adaptable and tolerate drought as well as a variety of soil conditions and sun exposures. All pruning should be done with a sharp pruning shears. Since berries like to grow on older stems, focus on pruning off the newer ones instead. Alpine Currant is known as a common formal or informal hedge, with bright green Spring foliage and stout, stiff stems, usually pruned to about 3' tall as a linear hedge, and also found in low-maintenance group plantings where coverage without ornamental appeal (basically no flowers, fruits, fall color, or Winter interest) is desired or accepted. Alpine Currant Saxifragaceae. Do your rejuvenation pruning early next spring (late March, early April assuming the snow is not too deep) before any foliage emerges. Ribes alpinum – Alpine Currant . Use secateurs to prune off a 15-30cm (6-12in) long shoot of recent growth. Alpine currant is a compact, multi-stemmed shrub with a rounded shape. The abundant green, glossy foliage forms a dense hedge. It responds well to heavy pruning or shearing. Fast if overfed, so you will need to prune a currant plant there a! ... pruning shall not take place until the plant has been in the ground for one growing season. The warm summer nights, they are grown on a mature alpine currant allow any subsequent regrowth harden. A densely branched shrub with bright green, maple-like leaves. Ask an Expert is made up of groups and individual experts. After this pruning you should start seeing new growth coming up by mid-May. Leaves turns a slight yellow color in fall. Ribes alpinum: alpine currant ... Prune to maintain neat, balanced head of foliage Pruning Shrubs Produced on a Standard Non-grafted standards: train leading shoot from early age on clear stem, needs staking, due in stages Is it too late to plant Alpine Currants to fill bare spots in a hedge? Prune at any time of year (flowers are insignificant) or simply allow plant to grow naturally. Noteworthy Characteristics. What's the best time of year to cut back the hedge? A more compact grower than most, excellent as a hedge or in a mixed shrub border in native landscaping Adaptable to pruning Alpine Currant (Ribes alpinum) is the shrub you need when you want a super-hardy, totally dependable, tough-as-nails, doesn't care about the soil or light or air kind of shrub. About Ribes alpinum: The Alpine Currant, ‘Ribes alpinum’, is a very hardy hedge plant that can be kept trimmed to any desired height from 18 inches to 4 feet.This plant is densely branched and will leaf all the way to the ground. http://gurneys.com/currant-plants/c/63/ - In this video, Felix from Gurney's demonstrates how to prune a currant plant. They tolerate various soil and other adverse, urban conditions. Prune alpine currants when young, tender new growth reaches 6 to 8 inches long. 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