Redcurrant Rovada

'Rovada' is widely regarded as one of the finest redcurrants available and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Bred in the Netherlands, it is a late-season variety that bears heavy crops of large, glossy, translucent red berries on exceptionally long strings. That makes picking quick and easy, and the fruit keeps fresh longer than many varieties. Ripening from mid-July into August, it extends the currant season after earlier varieties have finished. The berries have a bright, tangy flavour that's perfect for redcurrant jelly, sauces, pies, summer puddings and cordials, and they freeze beautifully.

'Rovada' forms a strong, upright bush around 1–1.5m tall and wide. It is self-fertile, has good resistance to mildew and other leaf diseases, and is recognised by the RHS as a plant for pollinators. Its spring flowers are popular with bees. It grows best in full sun or partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, and it is tolerant of a range of conditions. Dig in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure before planting. It can be grown as a bush or trained as a cordon or fan against a wall or fence. Space bushes about 1.5m apart.

Like all redcurrants, 'Rovada' fruits on spurs along older wood, so prune to build a permanent, open-centred framework. In winter, shorten the main stems by half and cut side shoots back to one or two buds. In early summer, trim new side shoots to five leaves to let light reach the ripening fruit. Feed each spring with a high-potash fertiliser, mulch generously, water during dry spells, and net the bush before the berries colour.

Supplied in a 3 litre pot and can be planted at any time of year, though autumn is ideal. Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.