Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek' (mid-season)

Ben Sarek Black Currant is an exceptionally hardy (to USDA Zone 3a), shrub with large deep black berries grown for fruit production.

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek' is the result of a cross between Ribes nigrum 'Goliath' and Ribes nigrum 'Ojebyn'. It has been selected for its enhanced frost resistance, large flavourful berries and its compact, densely branched habit. 'Ben Sarek' grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. An ideal variety to grow in a small garden, in container or make a small hedge.

Clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom in May, but are not particularly ornamental. Ben Sarek Black Currant flowers give way to long, pendant clusters of black currants which ripen in mid-July. Leaves are medium green and are wonderfully aromatic when crushed. Currants may be eaten right off the shrub or used to make jams, jellies and pies. This Compact Black Currant variety should start bearing fruits after 2 years. It will take 4-5 years for plants to become well-established and reach full fruit-bearing potential. This mid-season black currant has a good resistance to powdery mildew and is moderately resistant the white pine blister rust.

Black currants are self-fertile, so they don't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.