Description
Selechenskaya is a top-rated early black currant bred by A. I. Astakhov, and it is known for two things at once: size and sweetness. The berries run up to about 5 grams each, which is very large for the crop, and they are sweet rather than sharp.
That combination is what makes it a favourite with home gardeners and small farms. Most black currants are a cooking fruit; this one is plump and flavorful enough to be eaten fresh, and the yields are high as well.
Overview
- Exceptionally large berries, up to about 5 grams.
- Sweet enough to eat fresh off the bush.
- Early ripening and high yielding.
- A top-rated Russian variety.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ribes nigrum ‘Selechenskaya’
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: If you have only ever had black currants cooked, pick these fully ripe and eat one. This is the variety that changes minds.
- 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
