Blackcurrant - Ribes nigrum - €5 per plant

Blackcurrant is a woodland dwelling specie that produces an abundance of nutritious and tasty fruit. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, various other nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants. The dried leaves of the plant can be used for teas, and the fresh leaves are sometimes used in soups.  This plant is a great choice for the forest garden and grows well underneath fruit and nut trees on a sunny edge. They have been shown to produce great yields even in the shade. The plants we offer are 1yr old bare root plants that should start to produce fruit the next season after planting.  To order this plant please contact us balkanecologyproject@gmail.com. 

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: hedges and woodlands, often by streams
  • family: Grossulariaceae

Predators

  • Plants can harbour a stage of 'white pine blister rust', so they should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees
  • If grown in the open the berries are vulnerable to bird predation

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or  full sun 
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 9b
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • Mulch with compost  every spring for optimum yields
  • Water when dry in summer  
  • Annual pruning required for optimum productivity

Overview

  • 2nd yr  bare root 60 - 80 cm high 
  • Deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft)  
  • In leaf Mar-Nov, flowers from Apr to May, and fruits from June to August. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • Self-fertile. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • Can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • Prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized shrub
  • layer : Shrub layer 
  • habit: multi-stemmed, shallow roots  
  • height x width (m): 1.8 x 0.5
  • years to bearing fruit: 1 year  
  • productive life span: 10-15 years 

Products 

  • Fruit: Berry; June- August, high in Vit C
  • Yield: 3-5 kgs each summer at maturity
  • Leaves:  used in soups, dried  leaves for tea making 
  • Flowers: nectary, attracting bees 
  • Understory ground cover 

Functions, behaviours

  • animal dispersed seed
  • leafs out in mid spring 
  • drops leaves in early winter
  • easy to propagate from hard wood cuttings 
  • self pollinates
  • Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus
If you would like this plant please send an email to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project