The Alpine currant is a native shrub that grows up to altitudes of 1,600 meters and is found wild almost throughout Europe. Although it belongs to the gooseberry family, the branches are thornless. The undemanding plant is a small jack-of-all-trades that is very popular as a high-maintenance hedge plant with ornamental value.
Why is the alpine currant suitable as a hedge plant?
The Alpine currant is an ideal hedge plant because it is undemanding in terms of location and soil, is frost hardy and tolerates pruning. It is also insensitive to exhaust gases, has early budding and offers ecological added value for birds and insects.
What makes the Alpine currant the ideal hedge plant?
There is hardly a shrub that is as undemanding in terms of location as the Alpine currant. In nature it is often found as an undergrowth in forests because it thrives excellently in the shade and copes well with root pressure. At the same time, the landscape tree is sun-tolerant and therefore perfect for properties where the hedge is in both the sun and the shade.
Which soils does the Alpine currant prefer?
The shrub is also very undemanding when it comes to soil. Whether on clay, sand or stony ground, whether the substrate is acidic or calcareous, the shrub feels at home everywhere. In addition, the Alpine currant is absolutely frost hardy, even in rough locations the hedge does not need any additional winter protection.
Insensitive to exhaust fumes
Alpine currant hedges are relatively common in large cities and around industrial companies. This is because this plant is very tolerant of car exhaust fumes and road s alt. The shrub is therefore ideal for shielding your city property from street noise and exhaust fumes and at the same time protecting it from the overly curious looks of passers-by.
Very early budding
As soon as the first rays of sunshine warm the air, the alpine currant sprouts. It retains its foliage well into autumn. During this time it turns attractive yellow and sets bright accents.
High cutting tolerance
The alpine currant also copes well with severe pruning. Proceed as follows:
- Pruning should be done immediately after flowering.
- Cut the bushes preferably by hand and not with electric scissors. This way the attractive leaf shape is retained and the hedge doesn't look ragged.
- If you want to enjoy the fruits, keep as many of the dead inflorescences as possible.
Tip
The Alpine currant is a good source of food for birds and insects. For this reason, it is one of those trees that enhances gardens from an ecological point of view.