Geographical origin: Northern Europe.
Adult dimensions: Height up to 1.50 m, width up to 1.50 m.
Foliage: Deciduous and scented.
Type of soil: Rich and well drained, avoid very chalky soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -25°C. Needs the winter cold in order to produce.
Exposure: Partial shade to full sun.
Properties and uses:
The blackcurrant has been cultivated for its fruit for several centuries. The fruit is harvested in July when it is ripe. The fruits have many therapeutic qualities and are very rich in vitamin C. They can be eaten raw as fruits but can also be used in both sweet and savory dishes or even in liqueurs.
It is best to plant several blackcurrant bushes together as this improves fruiting and to cut them back in the winter.
Plant them now: the shortest way to your plate is through your garden!
The different varieties:
Blackcurrant 'Andega': This Blackcurrant Bush reaches maturity mid-July. Highly productive and self fertile, its fruits are of average size, firm, sour and tasty.
Blackcurrant 'Ben Nevis': This Blackcurrant is semi-precocious, vigorous and very productive. The fruits are large, plump and juicy. The skin is crunchy and the flavor is slightly tart. The harvest begins in mid-July.
Blackcurrant 'Geant de Boskoop': This Blackcurrant is an early and fruitful variety, it produces very large fruits from the month of July, acidic and tasty.
Blackcurrant 'Merveille de Gironde': This Blackcurrant bush produces very big, juicy, sweet and flavoursome fruits which are harvested late, at the end of July, beginning of August.
Blackcurrant 'Wellington': This Blackcurrant bush produces extremely big fruits which have a strong savour. It is an excellent variety to use to make jellies.