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Can You Grow Red Currant in Oregon?

US · USDA Zone 8b · zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Won't grow here

Currants require cold winters to fruit well and cannot handle hot summers.

Plant zones

3a–6b

Oregon last frost

late January

Oregon first frost

mid-December

Days to harvest

Perennial

About Red Currant

Red currants produce clusters of jewel-like berries in early summer — tart, high in pectin, and exceptional for jams, jellies, and juice. One of the most cold-hardy small fruits available.

Plant in a sheltered spot with good air circulation. Fruits on two and three-year-old wood — prune out older stems annually. Harvest full clusters in midsummer. Birds love them, so net the bush as they ripen.

Full red currant growing guide →

Gardening in Oregon

Oregon has dramatically different climates west and east of the Cascades. The Willamette Valley is mild and productive year-round (Zone 8a-8b); eastern Oregon is semi-arid and colder (Zone 5-6).

See what grows well in Oregon →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Red Currant in Oregon?

Currants require cold winters to fruit well and cannot handle hot summers.

What zone is Oregon?

Oregon spans USDA Zone 8b (4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).

When do you plant Red Currants in Oregon?

See the planting guide for Red Currant — timing depends on your exact frost date.