Currant Collection

In each collection you will receive one bare-root, year-old plant of each of the following varieties.

blackcurrant ‘Ben Sarek’: This easy to grow, compact shrub has a good tolerance to frost and will reliably produce a heavy crop of large juicy fruits, which form in clusters on the previous years stems. Rich in vitamin C and ready to harvest in midsummer, any excess fruits can be frozen and used at a later date. Grows to 1.2m

redcurrant ‘Jonkheer van Tets’: Trusses of medium-sized currants appear on the fruiting spurs and ripen in midsummer. A long-standing favourite, this reliable cultivar is renowned for producing a plentiful harvest, which can be used to make jams, summer puddings, pies and wines. Grows to 1.2m

whitecurrant ‘Versailles Blanche’: Large, pale yellow fruits with a semi-sweet, grape-like flavour appear in long, heavy racemes, and can be picked and eaten straight from the plant in early July, or used in a wide range of recipes. Where space is limited, they can be trained as a cordon or a fan. Grows to 1.5m

Garden care: Currants can be planted from October to March, preferably in the autumn when the soil is still warm. Prepare the ground well before planting by removing all weeds and incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure into the area. Plant at between 1.5-1.8m apart depending on how vigorous the cultivar is. Once planted, apply a mulch of well-rotted manure every spring, as well as a nitrogen and potassium fertiliser. Make sure the plant is watered in dry weather and net the plants to protect the currants from birds.