Whitecurrant Witte Parel

Widely considered one of the finest of whitecurrants, Witte Parel (aka 'White Pearl') is prized for its heavy crops of translucent, pearlescent berries which hang in clusters from mid to late Summer and are significantly sweeter and less acidic than redcurrants.  Ideal for eating fresh from the bush, though they are equally superb for making clear, sophisticated jellies and desserts. A reliable and vigorous deciduous shrub, 'Witte Parel' is notably resistant to common diseases and bird attack—the pale berries are less "visible" to birds than bright red varieties. It develops an upright, bushy habit and is remarkably easy to grow, thriving in most garden soils. Whether grown as a freestanding bush, trained against a wall, or kept in a large container, it provides a decorative and delicious harvest for many years.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral.
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Pick: July–August
Keep: Does not keep; freezes well
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile
Uses: Cooking, preserving, eating
Height: 3-5’ (1-1.5m) Spread: 3-5’ (1-1.5m)

Image by Inese cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0