Description
Ben More is unusual in the shape it holds: an ideal upright bush on strong canes that carry their own crop without needing support, which is not true of every heavy-bearing black currant.
Its other trick is timing. It blossoms late, which takes the flowers out of the way of a spring frost, and yet the fruit still ripens early in the season. The berries are generously sized and dangle from short, concise strings that pick cleanly.
Overview
- Late blossom, so frost rarely catches the flowers.
- Early ripening despite the late bloom.
- Strong upright canes that need no staking.
- Generously sized fruit on short, clean-picking strings.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ribes nigrum ‘Ben More’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; rich, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 3
Rootstock: Grown from cuttings
Bearing Age: Light crop the year after planting; full crops by the third or fourth year
Size at Maturity: Upright and compact, about 3 to 5 ft tall and wide
Ripening Time: Early season; June into July
Pollination: Self-fertile; one bush sets a full crop, and a second currant nearby increases berry size
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: The Ben series really does stand out among black currants. Late flowering with early ripening is a rare pairing and worth having.
- Regional Insight: Currants are cool-climate fruit, at their best where summers stay moderate and winters are properly cold.
- Explore more berries in our collection: Berries
