Ribes nigrum ( Blackcurrant ) is a deciduous, fruiting plant that is native to the colder climates of northern Europe and Asia and is now widely cultivated around the world for its tasty dark berries. Rich in Vitamin C, the Blackcurrant is used in pies, syrups, dyes, jams and in traditional medicines.
Suitable for Sub-Arctic, Cold and Temperate climates.
Ribes nigrum is also commonly known as a Cassis or European Black Currant. The fruits are high in Vitamin C and polyphenols and can be eaten raw but are more often cooked into pies or used to make jams or syrup.
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Growth
Ribes nigrum is a flowering deciduous shrub that grows to a compact height of up to 1.8 metres (6 feet) and a width of about 60 centimetres (2 feet). Blackcurrant plants enjoy moist rich soil with a Ph level of around 6 and struggle during drought. Through winter they are frost tolerant to as low as -20°C/-4°F but late spring frosts can do significant damage to new growth or flowers.
The leaves are alternate, simple and stretch as long as 5cm (2 inches) and like all parts of the shrub are strongly aromatic. Flowers bloom in racemes called strigs that are up to 8cm (3 inches) in size and contain between 10-20 flowers in each. Insects and wind provide the tools to complete the pollination process. Summer is the harvest season and the period when the strigs turn into green fruits which then into become very dark purple berries with a glossy skin. An established Blackcurrant plant can produce up to 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) of fruit per year.
From seed, it can take between 3-5 years to for a plant to begin flowering and producing fruit.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Grossulariaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub-Arctic, Cold, Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-20°C to 30°C / -4 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining. Can handle some lingering moisture.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Semi-Shade, kept young plants shaded from hot summer sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.8 metre (6 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 60 centimetres (2 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees.
MATURITY:
3-4 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
50-65%
GERMINATION TIME:
Cold Stratification – 3-4 months and then 6-8 weeks germination
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium to Hard. Cold stratification & patience required.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 900
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 12 years.
FACTS ABOUT RIBES NIGRUM ( Blackcurrant )
Modern farming equipment can pick up to 50 tonnes of Blackcurrants per day.
Throughout World War II, the British Government provided incentives to grow Blackcurrants to make up for the lack of Vitamin C due to a shortage of Oranges. In fact, from 1942 they were distributing blackcurrant syrup to children under the age of 2.
Cultivation of Ribes nigrum was and still is banned in some US states due to a white pine blister rust that was threatening the logging industry. The federal ban was lifted in 1966, but states such as New York only lifted their ban in 2003 while several US states still prohibit the cultivation of Blackcurrant plants as of 2023.
Blackcurrants are combined with dark chocolate and with mince meat make up traditional mince pies often served at Christmas. Seed oil of the Blackcurrants is an ingredient used in cosmetics, often in combination with Vitamin E.
