Redcurrant bush (Ribes rubrum) – hardy small-fruited plant – 9 cm pot – 35 cm tall

The Tricolour Small Fruit Patch brings together three complementary species: the redcurrant bush (Ribes rubrum 'Jonkheer van Tets'), the yellow raspberry bush (Rubus idaeus 'Fallgold') and the thornless blackberry bush (Rubus fruticosus 'Thornfree'). Each offers a distinct flavour: the bright tartness of the redcurrant, the sweet sweetness of the golden raspberry and the rich aroma of the black blackberry. This trio provides a long harvest season, from July to October depending on growing conditions. It is an excellent way to combine utility with pleasure, with a garden that is both productive and colourful throughout the summer.

Yes, all three varieties in the Lot Petits Fruits Tricolore can be grown in large containers on a very sunny terrace or balcony. Allow for pots of at least 30 to 40 cm in diameter per plant, with a rich, well-draining potting mix. Watering will need to be more regular than'when planted in the ground, as containers dry out quickly in midsummer. A fruit-specific ferti'lizer applied in spring and early'summer will compensate for the leaching of nutrients from the potting mix. On a terrace, make sure to place the pots on a south- or west-facing side to maximize the'sunlight needed for fruit production.

To achieve an abundant harvest with the Tricolour Small Fruit Set, full sun exposure is essential. The three species, Ribes rubrum, Rubus idaeus and Rubus fruticosus, require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A partially shaded location significantly reduces the number of flowers and, consequently, the yield, while encouraging fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or botrytis. A sheltered spot away from prevailing winds, but open to the sun, is ideal: the flowers are better pollinated and the fruit better colored and sweeter.

The size of the Tricolour Soft Fruit Patch varies depending on the species and should be carried out after harvest or in late winter. For the redcurrant bush (Ribes rubrum), old woody stems over 3 years old are removed in winter to encourage young, productive shoots. For the raspberry bush (Rubus idaeus 'Fallgold'), stems that have borne fruit are cut down to ground level in autumn, while the new shoots of the year are retained.

Yes, the three species that make up the Tricolour Soft Fruit Patch are fully hardy in the French climate, including in regions with harsh winters. The redcurrant (Ribes rubrum), the raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and the blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) easily withstand temperatures of around minus 15 to minus 20 °C depending on the species and soil conditions. Their foliage is deciduous, which means that the plants naturally enter winter dormancy before vigorously growing again in spring.

The Lot Petits Fruits Tricolore plants are ideally planted in spring, as soon as the risk of severe frost has passed, or in 'autumn for establishment before the severe cold. In the ground, prepare a well-worked, compost-enriched, and well-drained soil, avoiding areas where 'water stagnates. Space each plant 'at least 80 cm to 1 meter apart to allow for their natural growth and to facilitate harvesting. Water thoroughly at planting, then regularly during the first few weeks.

The Tricolour Soft Fruit Set f'fits perfectly into an edible garden or an ornamental vegetable patch, paired with 'other small fruit trees such as blackcurrants, blueberries or redcurrants. In the garden, raspberries can be trellised at the back of a border, while gooseberries and blackberries form productive fruit hedges. To enhance pollination and the 'attractiveness to beneficial insects, you can plant nectar-rich plants nearby such as lavender, phacelia or borage.