How to Grow Ben Sarek Currant

Ben Sarek Currant

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek'

shrub

Ben Sarek is a compact, high-yielding blackcurrant variety bred in Scotland, known for its disease resistance and prolific fruit production. This small shrub produces dark purple to black berries with excellent flavor, making it ideal for gardens with limited space. The plant thrives in cool climates and is valued for fresh eating, preserves, and juicing.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but produces more fruit in full sun

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, more during dry spells. Avoid waterlogging. Mulch to retain soil moisture.

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Spacing: 48-60 inches

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Days to maturity: 120-150 days from flowering to fruit harvest; first fruiting in year 2-3

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Planting depth: Plant bare-root or container shrubs at the same depth as in nursery; plant in spring or fall

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, slightly acidic to neutral

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

compost peat moss aged manure sulfur if pH is too high

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-7; performs well in cooler climates with cold winters

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

Growth Stages

Establishment

Year 1

Young shrub with developing root system and initial stem growth

Water regularly, avoid competing weeds, stake if necessary. Don't harvest fruit in first year.

Vegetative Growth

Years 1-2

Compact bushy shrub (2-4 feet) with dark green foliage and multiple canes developing

Prune to encourage branching and open center. Remove any weak or crossing canes. Apply winter mulch in cold zones.

Flowering

2-3 weeks in spring

Small greenish flowers appear in spring along the canes, typically in April-May

Ensure adequate moisture and avoid frost damage. No pruning during flowering.

Fruiting

6-8 weeks, June-August depending on region

Berries develop from tiny green fruits to dark purple-black, hanging in clusters

Maintain consistent watering. Protect from birds if necessary with netting. Thin berries if crowded.

Dormancy

October-February

Foliage yellows and drops in fall; canes remain bare throughout winter

Prune in late winter while dormant (February-March). Remove old, weak wood and maintain open structure.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

gooseberry raspberry blueberry chamomile thyme borage

Avoid planting near:

white pine currants near wild currants (disease risk)

Common Pests

Remove affected shoots, improve air circulation, use neem oil or insecticidal soap in early spring
Hand-pick larvae, spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap, remove fallen leaves in fall
Remove infested canes, apply dormant oil spray in late winter
Spray with water to increase humidity, use neem oil, ensure adequate moisture
Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur dust or fungicide in spring

Uses

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Preserves, Jams & Juices

Culinary

Ben Sarek currants are excellent for making blackcurrant jam, jelly, and juice due to their high pectin and sugar content. The tart-sweet flavor is ideal for homemade preserves and cordials. [source]

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Fresh Eating

Culinary

The berries can be eaten fresh, though some prefer them cooked or sweetened due to their tart flavor. They are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. [source]

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Health & Wellness

Medicinal

Blackcurrants have been used traditionally to support immune function and are rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Modern research supports their anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Juice & Cordial Production

Household

Ben Sarek produces abundant juice with deep color and strong flavor, ideal for making blackcurrant cordial, syrup, and beverages with excellent shelf stability. [source]

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Wildlife Support

Wildlife

The flowers attract pollinators in spring, and birds are attracted to the berries. Provides food for beneficial insects throughout the season. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Berries ripen from late June to August depending on climate. Harvest when fully black and slightly soft, not overripe. Pick entire clusters or individual berries by gently rolling them off. Early morning harvest yields best flavor. Fruit stores in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or can be frozen for 1+ year.

Fun Facts

🌱 Ben Sarek was bred at the Scottish Crop Research Institute and is named after a mountain in Scotland (Sarek National Park); the 'Ben' prefix is Scottish for 'mountain peak'
🌱 Blackcurrants are banned in parts of the United States because they can host white pine blister rust, a fungal disease that damages valuable timber, though this has been partially relaxed in recent years
🌱 Ben Sarek is one of the most disease-resistant blackcurrant varieties available and can tolerate powdery mildew better than many other cultivars

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