{"title":"Blackcurrants","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCurrant Blackcurrants - ribes nigrum\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlackcurrants  (ribes nigrum)are in season now and should be enjoyed by many home grown gardeners.  They are healthy, delicious, and very healthy!  Next to the blueberry and goji berry, the blackcurrant may be the better of the new super fruits on the block!  The fruit of the blackcurrant bush holds a load of nutrients and stores them well in the deep purple skin of the fruit.  They hold four times more vitamin C than oranges, have the best antioxidant polyphenols (anthocyanin’s) that are beneficial in maintaining cardiovascular health, ageing, and healthy vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlackcurrants are used widely for jam, especially mixed with blueberries and you have something that makes the taste buds just pop.  They have a natural pectin and acid making them a gift to jam makers.  They can be frozen when harvested for use later so there is no reason not to stock up now!Blackcurrants  (ribes nigrum)are in season now and should be enjoyed by many home grown gardeners.  They are healthy, delicious, and very healthy!  Next to the blueberry and goji berry, the blackcurrant may be the better of the new super fruits on the block!  The fruit of the blackcurrant bush holds a load of nutrients and stores them well in the deep purple skin of the fruit.  They hold four times more vitamin C than oranges, have the best antioxidant polyphenols (anthocyanin’s) that are beneficial in maintaining cardiovascular health, ageing, and healthy vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlackcurrants are used widely for jam, especially mixed with blueberries and you have something that makes the taste buds just pop.  They have a natural pectin and acid making them a gift to jam makers.  They can be frozen when harvested for use later so there is no reason not to stock up now!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScotPlants Direct \u003c\/strong\u003ehave some of the best Blackcurrant  and Redcurrant bushes for all types of gardens.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eBen Connan is probably the heaviest cropper of all blackcurrant varieties.  They are compact and do now sprawl.  The berries are larger than other blackcurrants, and has good disease resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eBen Hope is the more popular blackcurrant found in UK gardens.  It has very good resistance to big bud mite (gall mite) and good cropping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eBen Lomond has been bred by the Scottish Crop Research Institute, is an upright grower, compact habit making this perfect for small gardens or containers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eBen Alder is a good cropper with biggish fruit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eRedcurrant Jonkheer Van Tet strong Dutch early variety with excellent crops.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eRedcurrant Rondom reliable late season with heavy yields of pale red berries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"blackcurrant-bush-ben-hope","title":"Black Currant Bush - Ben Hope","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003ePopular variety for UK gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSelf-fertile, reliable crops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSupplied 3-5 branches, 40cm tall, bareroot ready to plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eNo VAT on this item\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBen hope is one of the most popular blackcurrant varieties in UK gardens.  It has good disease resistance especially to big bud mite with affects other currant varieties.  It is also resistant to mildew and leaf spot.  Ben Hope is just the thing for organic gardeners as its disease resistance can eliminate the need for spraying.  It is tough and if it is affected by disease, it is strong enough to overcome the problem. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining, moist soil.  Tolerant of most soil types, Ben Hope like other currants does not like waterlogged areas.  If the roots are kept well mulched, Ben Hope will be one of the best growing black currants.  Ultimate height and spread about 2m so it will need a bit more space than other varieties.  Harvest time would be about mid-July and the medium sized fruit are great for storage and the freezer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ScotPlants Direct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51725116834128,"sku":"RNBH-BR-40\/60","price":5.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/9182\/3184\/files\/BEN-HOPE-2019_8139d790-4800-4ff9-9386-fa435f52de5a.jpg?v=1778140155"},{"product_id":"black-currant-bush-ben-lomond-ribes-nigrum","title":"Black Currant Bush - Ben Lomond ribes nigrum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eGood mildew resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eBerries are large, easy to pick with good crops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSupplied 3-5 branches, 40cm tall, bareroot and Pot Grown ready to plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlack currant Ben Lomond is an upright grower with a compact habit making this an ideal fruit for small gardens and containers. Resistant to mildew.  It is a reliable cropper with sweet flavours, large and full of vitamin C. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFruit from Ben Lomond is produced in heavy clusters on short strings makes this currant easy to pick.  Cropping season is late July.  Ben Lomond also freezes well which is ideal for many uses.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant about 1.5m apart in rows of about 2m apart.  Plant is full sun or very light shade and a bit sheltered, and frost free, slightly acid, moist and well-draining.  Make sure there the roots are well soaked before planting.  The planting hole should be twice as big as the rootball.  Mix fertiliser or good organic matter into the planting hole and then back fill.  Water regularly until established.  Ultimate height about 1.5 metres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBen Lomond fruits on previous years branches so be sure to cut back all shoots to within 2-3 buds after planting.  In the third year cut the weak and damaged shoots.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e**Scot Plants Direct can only supply bareroot plants when they are dormant during the winter months from November to April annually.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ScotPlants Direct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51725117030736,"sku":"RNBL-BR-40\/60","price":5.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/9182\/3184\/files\/BLACKCURRANT-BEN-LOMAND-2019.jpg?v=1778140155"},{"product_id":"black-currant-bush-ben-tirran-ribes-nigrum","title":"Black Currant Bush Ben Tirran Ribes nigrum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003ePopular variety for UK gardens - late fruiting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSelf-fertile, reliable crops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSupplied 3-5 branches, 40cm tall, bareroot ready to plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlackcurrant Ben Tirran is a late cropping blackcurrant bush.  Perfect for extending the cropping season of blackcurrants.  Ben Tirran is a very productive bush with excellent tasting, juicy medium sized fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBen Tirran is a vigorous, bushy, upright deciduous shrub, with edible black fruit about mid to late summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant full sun to partial shade, moist but well-drained soil.  Ben Tirran likes chalky, clay, loamy, or sandy soils, but will tolerate most soil types.  Soil pH acid\/ alkaline, or neutral.  Can be planted in all aspects.  Make sure to mulch in some compost with the soil before planting.  Ribes nigrum Ben Tirran will reach an approximate height of 1.5m x 1.5m after about 2-5 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e**Scot Plants Direct can only supply bareroot plants when they are dormant during the winter months from November to April annually.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ScotPlants Direct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51725117096272,"sku":"RNBT-BR-40\/60","price":5.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/9182\/3184\/files\/BEN-TIRRAN.jpg?v=1778228030"},{"product_id":"pot-grown-black-currant-bush-ben-tirran-ribes-nigrum","title":"Pot Grown Black Currant Bush Ben Tirran Ribes nigrum","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003ePopular variety for UK gardens - late fruiting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSelf-fertile, reliable crops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSupplied 3-5 branches, 30-40cm tall 3L Pot Grown ready to plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlackcurrant Ben Tirran is a late cropping blackcurrant bush.  Perfect for extending the cropping season of blackcurrants.  Ben Tirran is a very productive bush with excellent tasting, juicy medium sized fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBen Tirran is a vigorous, bushy, upright deciduous shrub, with edible black fruit about mid to late summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant full sun to partial shade, moist but well-drained soil.  Ben Tirran likes chalky, clay, loamy, or sandy soils, but will tolerate most soil types.  Soil pH acid\/ alkaline, or neutral.  Can be planted in all aspects.  Make sure to mulch in some compost with the soil before planting.  Ribes nigrum Ben Tirran will reach an approximate height of 1.5m x 1.5m after about 2-5 years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ScotPlants Direct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51725117555024,"sku":"RNBT-PG-40\/60-C3","price":12.05,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/9182\/3184\/files\/BEN-TIRRAN_af1589c0-a136-45a6-b675-84a57162ac0f.jpg?v=1778229299"},{"product_id":"black-currant-bush-ribes-nigrum-cassissima-noiroma","title":"Black Currant Bush - Ribes Nigrum Cassissima Noiroma","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCharacteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eGood disease resistance to powdery mildew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eBerries are extra large, sweet and easy to pick \u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eSupplied 3 Litre pot grown, 40cm tall ready to plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo VAT on this item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlack currant Cassissima is a new black currant for the gourmet conscious market introduced from Switzerland.   The fruits are extra large, have a high sugar content which makes this sweet black currant a perfect dessert berry.  The fruits are a large size that can be picked one at a time. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlack currant Cassissima is a medium sized deciduous bushy shrub with an upright growth and the shiny large fruit do crop in bunches.  It is resistant to powdery mildew.  Exquisite very early ripening in late June \/ July.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in full sun, well-draining soil, although blackcurrants will tolerate most soil types.  Make sure that they are not waterlogged. They will need moisture to fruit to develop so watering during dry periods is important.  Best soil pH for blackcurrants is about 6-6.5.  Ultimate height and spread of about 160cm – 180cm x 80cm – 100cm.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ScotPlants Direct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51725117751632,"sku":"RNCN-PG-40\/60-C3","price":12.54,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/9182\/3184\/files\/CASSISIMA-NOIROMA2019.jpg?v=1778228839"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/9182\/3184\/collections\/Blackcurrant.jpg?v=1778227836","url":"https:\/\/www.scotplantsdirect.co.uk\/collections\/blackcurrants.oembed","provider":"ScotPlants Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}