Black
Blackdown Currant is an upright black currant shrub that bears fruit in its second year, offering mid to late summer harvests of dark berries. This bareroot dormant shrub arrives ready to plant while still sleeping, establishing quickly in full sun with moderate water needs. Space plants 48 inches apart to give them room to develop their characteristic upright form, and you'll be harvesting clusters of ripe currants by early fall.
Full Sun
Moderate
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?in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
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Birds love these berries as much as you will, so netting becomes your secret weapon once the fruit starts forming. Blackdown produces prolifically enough to justify the protection, and the ease of harvesting clusters of berries at once makes gathering your crop faster than picking individual currants. The berries reach their final, darkest color in mid to late summer, signaling peak ripeness and flavor. Freshly harvested Blackdown currants will keep for a few days refrigerated, though freezing them immediately captures them at their best.
Black currants are prized for preserving and freezing, retaining their character through processing better than many soft fruits. They transform into jams, syrups, and liqueurs, and many gardeners prioritize immediate preservation to lock in flavor and nutrition. The berries work beautifully in baked goods and can be eaten fresh, though their tartness makes them less of a fresh-eating berry and more of a culinary workhorse.
Plant bareroot Blackdown Currant shrubs while still dormant in early spring. Upon arrival, moisten them lightly and store in a cool, damp location until you're ready to plant. Set each shrub in full sun with 48 inches of spacing between plants, which allows adequate room for the upright growth habit to develop fully.
Watch for berries to reach their final dark color in mid to late summer or early fall, which signals peak ripeness. You can harvest entire clusters of berries at once, which is faster and easier than picking individual currants, or carefully remove single berries if preferred. Gather fruit when fully darkened for best flavor, and refrigerate immediately; currants will keep for a few days cold but are best used or frozen as soon as possible after harvest.
With its upright growth habit, Blackdown Currant naturally forms an open framework that requires light pruning. Focus on removing any dead or crossing canes, and thin older wood to encourage vigorous new growth. Prune during dormancy in late winter or early spring before bloom, allowing the shrub to establish its basic structure in the first two years before more aggressive renewal pruning.
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