Pinkcurrant Gloire de Sablons: A Unique and Delicious Addition to Your Garden

Ribes rubrum

If you’re seeking an elegant yet productive addition to your garden, Pinkcurrant Gloire de Sablons offers a unique twist on traditional soft fruit cultivation. This exquisite old French variety of Ribes rubrum produces generous clusters of translucent pink berries that are visually striking and packed with deliciously sweet, juicy flavour. Ideal for ornamental and culinary use, ‘Gloire de Sablons’ is a rewarding choice for gardeners looking to grow something a little out of the ordinary.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to grow, plant, and care for pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ to ensure a prolific summer harvest and an eye-catching addition to your garden landscape.

Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ is a heritage variety bred initially in France and renowned for its delicate, almost luminous pink fruit. A member of the redcurrant family (Ribes rubrum), it produces high yields of sweet, juicy berries with a milder, less tart flavour than traditional redcurrants. The fruit’s subtle colour, somewhere between blush and rose, makes it a favourite for garnishing desserts, creating jewel-toned jams, or enjoying fresh by the handful.

The plant is a deciduous shrub with a neat, upright habit, suitable for kitchen gardens and decorative borders. It flowers in spring and fruits from mid to late July, providing weeks of harvesting pleasure at the height of summer.

There are several compelling reasons to introduce this lesser-known currant variety into your garden or allotment:

• Abundant summer harvests – Produces heavy fruit crops from mid to late July, ideal for seasonal preserves or fresh eating.
• Delicious, sweet flavour – A more refined taste than standard redcurrants, with a soft texture and juicy bite.
• Rare and distinctive – As a heritage variety, ‘Gloire de Sablons’ is not commonly found in nurseries, giving your garden a unique talking point.
• Ornamental beauty – The pale pink, almost glowing berries add aesthetic value, making this shrub a lovely feature in edible landscaping.
• Low-maintenance and hardy – Suitable for UK climates, it’s robust, adaptable, and relatively easy to care for once established.

Establishing your pinkcurrant bush correctly is key to enjoying a healthy, fruit-bearing plant for years. Follow these essential planting tips:

Choosing the Right Location

Pinkcurrants prefer a sunny, sheltered position for optimal fruiting, though they will tolerate light shade. Choose a spot protected from strong winds, which will help safeguard the blooms and ripening fruit.

Preparing the Soil

• Enrich the planting area with plenty of well-rotted organic matter such as manure or compost.
• The soil should be moist but well-drained, avoiding waterlogged conditions that can cause root rot.
• Maintain a weed-free area around the planting site to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

Planting Instructions

1. Dig a hole approximately 5cm deeper than the current rootball and at least 120cm wide to allow roots to spread.
2. Space multiple bushes 1.5 metres apart to encourage airflow and healthy growth.
3. Position the plant so the base of the stems sits just below soil level.
4. Backfill the hole with improved soil, firm gently around the roots, and water thoroughly after planting.
5. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Once established, pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ requires relatively minimal care, but regular attention to watering, feeding, and pruning will maximise its yield and lifespan.

Watering and Feeding

• Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, especially during dry spells.
• Apply a top dressing of well-rotted manure or compost in early spring to feed the plant before flowering.
• Mulch annually to help with water retention and weed control.

Pruning for Productivity

• Prune in late winter or early spring (February to April), before new growth begins.
• Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and maintain an open structure to allow air and light to penetrate the canopy.
• Aim to keep a balance of older fruiting wood and new shoots to ensure continued productivity year after year.

Pest and Bird Protection

• Use fine mesh netting or a fruit cage to protect ripening currants from birds, which can strip a bush in days.
• Monitor for common pests like aphids or sawfly larvae, treating organically with insecticidal soap where necessary.

The fruits will ripen from mid to late July into soft, blush-pink clusters. Harvest by gently snipping whole trusses once the berries have developed their full colour and flavour.

The translucent skin and delicate taste make ‘Gloire de Sablons’ perfect for a wide range of uses:

• Fresh eating – Their sweet, mild flavour makes them ideal for enjoying straight from the bush.
• Summer desserts – Add a luxurious touch to pavlovas, trifles, or fruit salads.
• Preserves and syrups – Perfect for homemade jams, jellies, and cordials with a beautiful blush-pink hue.
• Decorative garnishes – Their shimmering appearance makes them a show-stopping topping for cakes and pastries.

There’s something genuinely magical about growing Gloire de Sablons in my garden. Each summer, those blush-pink berries catch the light like little jewels, and I always find myself marvelling at just how beautiful and bountiful they are. Unlike the more common red or blackcurrants, this variety brings a unique sweetness and a refined visual charm that’s hard to beat. I grow mine in a sunny, sheltered spot near my greenhouse, and it never fails to produce a generous harvest, perfect for scattering over pavlovas or turning into delicate jams. What I love most is that it offers something different — a touch of old-world elegance and a conversation starter when visitors come round. If you’ve got space for just one soft fruit bush this year, I recommend giving Gloire de Sablons a go — it’s a real standout in my patch, and I suspect it will be in yours too.

• Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ is an old French variety producing beautiful translucent pink currants
• Thrives in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil enriched with compost or manure
• Produces a heavy crop from mid to late July with high yields of sweet and juicy fruit
• Requires pruning in late April and protection from birds to ensure a good harvest
• Highly desirable for decorating desserts and making summer puddings, jams, and jellies

Whether you’re an experienced grower or a budding enthusiast, cultivating ‘Gloire de Sablons’ is a rewarding way to diversify your soft fruit collection while enhancing your garden’s visual appeal. With its delicate colour, high yields, and delightful flavour, it’s a choice that offers both practical value and ornamental charm. Follow the steps in this guide, and you’ll be harvesting armfuls of beautiful pinkcurrants in no time.

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Read about Redcurrant Jonkheer van Tets here

Q: What is the Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ Bush?

A: The Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ Bush is an old French variety of currant plant known for its delightful translucent pink fruits, which are bursting with a sweet, juicy flavour. It’s a fantastic choice for gardens and edible landscapes alike!

Q: How do I grow Pinkcurrants ‘Gloire de Sablons’?

A: Growing these robust plants is straightforward! They thrive in well-drained soil and can be planted in spring or autumn. Ensure they receive regular watering, particularly during dry weather, and they’ll reward you with an abundant crop of juicy pink currants!

Q: What makes Pinkcurrants different from other currants?

A: Pinkcurrants, like the ‘Gloire de Sablons’, have a unique translucent pink colour and a distinct flavour that sets them apart from blackcurrants and redcurrants, making them a true gloire de in any garden. They’re sweet and juicy, making them perfect for fresh eating or adding to desserts.

Q: Can I use Pinkcurrants in my cooking?

A: Absolutely! These delicious fruits can be used in various dishes, from jams and jellies to desserts and sauces. Their sweet, juicy flavour enhances many recipes and makes for a fantastic summer treat!

Q: How tall do Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ bushes grow?

A: Typically, these bushes reach a height and spread of about 1 to 1.5 metres. They make attractive additions to gardens, providing beauty and fruit for your outdoor space!

Q: Are Pinkcurrants ‘Gloire de Sablons’ disease-resistant?

A: Yes, these plants are easy to grow! These fruit plants are known for their strong disease resistance, making them an excellent choice for gardeners. With proper care, they can thrive with minimal issues.

Q: When is the best time to harvest Pinkcurrants?

A: The best time to harvest is usually mid to late summer when the translucent pink currants are fully ripe and bursting with sweetness. A gentle tug will easily remove ripe berries.

Q: Can I grow Pinkcurrants in containers?

A: Yes, you can! Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ can be grown in pots or containers, making them easy to grow and ideal for smaller gardens or patios. Ensure the container has good drainage and feed regularly to maintain healthy growth.

Q: Do Pinkcurrants have any special fragrance?

A: Definitely! These plants produce juicy fruits and have a pleasant scent that adds to their appeal in the garden. Their fragrance can attract pollinators as well.

Q: Where can I buy Pinkcurrant ‘Gloire de Sablons’ plants?

A: You can find them at garden centres, online plant retailers, or specialist nurseries. Look for healthy, well-established plants to give your garden the best start.