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RIBES nigrum 'Consort'

Image of Ribes nigrum 'Consort'

Family

Grossulariaceae

Botanical Name

RIBES nigrum 'Consort'

Plant Common Name

Black Currant

General Description

A small, productive deciduous shrub, ‘Consort’ black currant is notable for its pendent clusters of greenish-yellow flowers in early spring followed by grape-like clusters of nearly-black, tart, sweet fruits. It also has the distinction of being harmless to white pines (Pinus nigrum) because it is immune to white pine blister rust, a usually fatal disease of P. nigrum that most black currants can carry and spread. This plant needs four to five years to mature and produce full crops, but thereafter bears large crops reliably. The leaves are three-lobed, toothy, and dark green, and the shrub is many stemmed and gangly.

For best growth and fruiting, plant ‘Consort’ in full to partial sun on well-drained soil. In climates with hot summers, choose a site that has little or no afternoon sun. Mulch the plant to help provide even moisture and cool the soil. Remove two-year old stems to make room for new stems that are more productive and to allow sun to reach all the stems.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    3 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Fruit

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    0'-4' / 0.0m - 1.2m

  • Width

    0'-4' / 0.0m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    Europe, Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Spreading

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Green, Purple

  • Fruit Color

    Purple, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Orange, Gold

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No