Ribes nigrum 'Black September'

'Black September' currant

Ribes nigrum 'Black September'

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European black currants have a very distinct musky flavor which is prized by many in Europe and the U.S. We love these fruit and make a honey and currant jam that our toddler eats by the spoonful.  These shrubs can grow up to 5 or 6 feet tall and wide but can be kept smaller with pruning, which will also keep them productive. Partial shade is good, although they will set more fruit in full sun with enough water. We like to plant them between fruit trees in an open orchard or forest garden setting. Fruit ripens in early summer before most other berries.

Currants are a wonderful small fruited shrub that quickly grows to about 4 feet tall and continues layering and spreading horizontally.  They thrive in sun but also fruit well in partial shade.  They handle soil conditions all the way from heavy clay to sandy loam. We like to plant them in between fruit trees in an orchard or forest garden, as they feed pollinators early in the season, and once the taller trees grow, they are easy to transplant to a new location.

White currants are the sweetest, red the tartest, and black have an excellent unique flavor. It's easy to tell black currants apart from the rest because the wonderful flavor of their fruit is also found in their leaves all season.  Clove currant has beautiful yellow flowers and fruit with an aromatic and sweetly tart flavor.