BEN CONNAN BLACK CURRANT Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan'

Hardiness / Exposure: Zone 3 / Full sun

Height: 5 ft

Spread: 5 ft

Foliage Colour: Green

Growth Habit: Upright

Flower Colour: Pink

Bloom Time: Spring

Fruit: Dark purple to black fruit that are  loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.

Harvest: Mid-summer

Key Features: Attracts Bees, Fruiting, Hardy Ben Conan Black Currant is a larger shrub than Ben Sarek. It produces dark fruit with the distinctive black currant flavour. The flavour profile of a black currant could best be described as a cross between a pine tree and a gooseberry! 

Uses: Jam, preserves, jelly, wine

 

Planting Instructions: 

-Dig a hole 2-3 times the root ball width and same depth as root ball.

-Carefully remove plastic pot and cut through any circling roots.

-Position the root ball in the center of the hole and ensure the tree is standing straight. If necessary, tip the root ball to adjust the tree.

-Partially backfill the hole with loamy soil, tamp the soil with your heel to remove air pockets, water to settle the soil and finish backfilling around the root ball with good soil.  Avoid using heavy clay-based soil.

-Remove tags and labels.

-Water soil well at planting and continue to water throughout the summer. Do not not let the tree go dry.

-Applying mulch will help help retain moisture and reduce weeds.