Description
Ribes nigrum ‘Ben Sarek’ is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to a height of 6-8 feet and a width of 4-6 feet. It has medium green, glossy leaves and produces large clusters of dark purple-black berries that ripen in early summer. The berries are medium to large in size and have a sweet-tart flavor. They are a good source of vitamin C, which is higher than any other berry. ‘Ben Sarek’ is a popular cultivar known for its heavy fruit production and hardiness in colder climates.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Ben Sarek Blackcurrant Bush
- Hardiness:Fully hardy through most of the UK
- How big will I get? Ribes nigrum ‘Ben Sarek’ can grow to a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m.
- Did You Know That:Blackcurrants are a rich source of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give the fruit its dark color and are known to have anti-inflammatory properties?
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
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Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Ribes nigrum ‘Ben Sarek’ prefers moist but well-draining soil. This plant prefers a neutral pH in soil and may not thrive in acidic or alkaline soil conditions.
Best Position
Ribes nigrum ‘Ben Sarek’ prefers a sheltered position and requires full sun to thrive, this consists of more than six hours of direct sunshine per day.
Maintenance
Ribes nigrum ‘Ben Sarek’ should be pruned regularly, it is an essential part of maintaining the health and shape of blackcurrant bushes. The best time to prune blackcurrant bushes is in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. The general guidelines for pruning includes: removing any dead, diseased, or damaged wood; removing branches that are growing out of the base of the plant; thinning out the interior of the bush to promote good air circulation and sunlight penetration; cutting back wood older than 3-4 years, as it does not produce as many fruits as new wood; cut back the tips of the remaining branches to the desired height and shape, which will encourage side shoots. Additionally, it’s important to remove some of the fruit clusters in the first 2 years after planting and to sterilize pruning tools before and after use to prevent the spread of disease.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Ribes nigrum ‘Ben Sarek’ can have problems with aphids and gall mites, and it tends not to have problems with diseases. It is also known to attract bees. It is not considered to be toxic.
