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Black Currant

© Laurel Morris

Ribes nigrum L

Currants are small round berries, thin-skinned, and contain edible seeds. The black currant has a somewhat tart flavor, and is best cooked. The plant is a great example of edible landscaping. Its buds and leaves give off a strong perfume. Currants were cultivated for their fruits by the mid-1500s and were known for their herbal and medicinal properties, and are gaining in popularity today.

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained moist soil with a mid-level pH. The plants thrive best in a sunny location. Most varieties of black currant ripen early to mid-summer.

Problems

Premature blossom drop could be from a couple of problems, one of which could be a late frost which would damage flowers. Take care to protect plants with a wrapping of burlap or other fabric at night. Poor pollination could be another cause of premature blossom drop and poor fruit set. Fertilize plants annually and grow other pollinator-attracting plants in the area.

Powdery mildew is a can sometimes grow on berry plants. Keep the area around the plants free of leaf and other debris. Choosing resistant plants, planting in sunny, well-ventilated areas are other ways to combat the problem.

White pine blister rust is not a serious disease of currants and gooseberries; however, it is a very serious disease of white pines (Pinus strobus). Currants and gooseberries serve as an alternate host for the rust fungus that causes white pine blister rust. Therefore, planting currants and gooseberries in areas where white pines are present can lead to serious losses of white pines. North American white pine species, including bristlecone, limber, sugar, eastern white, southwestern white, western white, and whitebark, are highly susceptible. White pine blister rust causes significant damage in pine forests by forming cankers on the branches of white pines. These cankers ultimately kill the trees. Black currant is the most susceptible of the Ribes species.

NOTE: Please check with the agricultural extention office in your area for any regulations for growing this plant. For example, this was found regarding the state of Ohio:

In Ohio:
The current Ohio law (Regulation AG-71-85.01) to suppress and control White Pine Blister Rust Disease is as follows:

(A) The European black currant, Ribes nigrum L. or any variety of this species is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, transport, plant, propagate, sell, or offer for sale, plants, roots, scions, seeds, or cuttings of these plants in this state.