Hardy
FROM £9.99
Awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit
Heavy cropping
Easy to grow
Will quickly establish once planted
Height Up to 120cm (47.2in)
Spread Up to 120cm (47.2in)
Hardy
kitchen gardenwildlife gardens
Full sun
This heavy cropping small bush variety produces large, glossy black fruits with a superb rich flavour. Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan' is early cropping, from the beginning of July, and continues to produce fruit over a long cropping period. From the second season onwards each plant will produce over 3.5kg (over 7lb) of fruit and will keep producing for up to 10 years. With excellent mildew resistance and good frost tolerance, this RHS AGM variety really has it all! Height and spread: 120cm (47").
We supply established, healthy 1-year old bareroot pre-pruned plants which will quickly establish once planted.
Estimated time to cropping once planted: 16-20 months (4-8 months for premium bareroot or 3L potted plant)
Estimated time to best yields: 16-20 months.
Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.
Show Codes
3 Bare Root Plants (KC1906)
1 Bare Root Plant (14254)
1 x 3 Litre Potted Plant (14167)
1 x 9cm Potted Plant (KC1058)
2 x 9cm Potted Plants (KC1455)
3 x 9cm Potted Plants (KC1456)
These plants are lifted from the nursery field when dormant, and sent to you in late autumn or spring for planting. They often look dead on arrival, but they are just resting in the dormant period and will establish quickly for a strong start in the garden come spring. Set out in prepared soil in holes wide enough and deep enough to lay out the roots. Tread down the planting soil to knock out air pockets. Water well to settle. Apply a mulch to protect roots from cold temperatures. If conditions prevent immediate planting, set roughly into loose soil or a pot of compost (‘heeling in’) to protect the roots. Set these at the same level as they were in the nursery field – you should see a soil line at the base of the stem. Stake trees, taller shrubs and roses to prevent root disturbance.
After planting, reduce the stems to 2 buds above ground level to promote sturdy new growth. Keep blackcurrant plants well watered during dry periods, particularly as the fruits are developing. Netting the bushes will help to protect the currants from birds. Blackcurrants can be harvested from July.
After the first season, prune out any thin or weak shoots. In the following years prune out any damaged or weak shoots before removing 20% of the remaining stems to create an open bush, and encourage fresh new shoots to develop. Culinary note: Blackcurrants are delicious when eaten fresh in a fruit salad or added to a colourful and tasty summer pudding. Suitable for freezing.
Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.
Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.
Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.
Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.
Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.
Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.
For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.