Ribes odoratum 'Crandall'

Ribes odoratum (clove currant) is native to the central U. S., including the State of Missouri where it is found on limestone bluffs along the Current and White Rivers. ëCrandall is an old American clove currant variety that was first introduced in 1888. It is a thornless, loosely-branched, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3-4 tall, but may reach 7 in height. It is grown today 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. Clusters (race... more »

Ribes odoratum (clove currant) is native to the central U. S., including the State of Missouri where it is found on limestone bluffs along the Current and White Rivers. ëCrandall is an old American clove currant variety that was first introduced in 1888. It is a thornless, loosely-branched, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3-4 tall, but may reach 7 in height. It is grown today 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. Clusters (racemes) of clove-scented, trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers bloom in spring. This is a dioecious shrub that requires both male and female plants for fruit production. Pollinated female flowers give way to large, oval-rounded, shiny black currants that ripen in late season (July in St. Louis). Fruits may be eaten fresh off the plant or may be picked for use in juices, syrups, jellies, preserves and pies. Blue-green, 3-5 lobed leaves may acquire attractive shades of reddish-brown in fall. (less)