Black Currant
Titania is a black currant cultivar bred for both productivity and disease resistance, thriving in hardiness zones 3 through 8. This vigorous plant grows to about 6 feet tall and produces abundant clusters of large black currants on a single plant. The variety's real strength lies in its resistance to mildew and white pine blister rust, two diseases that have historically limited black currant growing in many regions. Black currants themselves are nutritional powerhouses, containing up to five times the vitamin C of oranges by weight and twice the potassium of bananas, making Titania a crop worth protecting.
—
Moderate
3-8
?in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Titania earns its plant patent (#11439) by combining exceptional disease resistance with impressive yields. The variety resists both powdery mildew and white pine blister rust, making it one of the few black currants that can grow in regions where the species is otherwise restricted or challenging. Its rapid growth and abundant harvests mean you'll get substantial fruit production from a relatively compact 6-foot shrub.
Black currants from Titania are eaten fresh, pressed into juices, and made into jams, syrups, and liqueurs. The berries are prized in European cuisine, particularly in Scandinavia and the UK, where they appear in traditional cordials and desserts. Their concentrated flavor and high pectin content make them excellent for preserving.
Plant dormant canes or nursery plants in early spring or fall. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart in moist, well-draining soil. Harden off container-grown plants over a week before transplanting. Choose a location with full sun and good air drainage to minimize disease pressure.
Harvest Titania black currants in mid to late summer when the berries are fully black and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Pick clusters or individual berries by hand. The berries will continue to ripen slightly after harvest if picked a day or two early, allowing you to spread out your picking window.
Prune Titania in late winter or early spring while dormant, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing canes. Black currants fruit on both old and new wood, so avoid heavy pruning that removes too much mature growth. Thin out the oldest canes every few years to encourage vigorous new growth and maintain the plant's 6-foot target height.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.