Black currants, derived from the Ribes nigrum shrub, are sought after by growers for their distinctive tart flavor and high nutritional content. Finding these plants requires understanding standard horticultural practices and unique legal requirements. Acquiring them involves considering state and local laws, selecting the right source, and choosing a cultivar suited to your climate and needs.
Legal Considerations Before Purchasing
The purchase of black currant plants in North America is highly regulated due to a historical federal quarantine against Ribes species. This regulation was established because black currants act as an alternate host for White Pine Blister Rust (WPBR), a fungal disease caused by Cronartium ribicola. WPBR requires both five-needle pine trees and Ribes shrubs to complete its life cycle. The federal ban, enacted in 1911 to protect lumber resources, was lifted in 1966, delegating control over the sale and cultivation of Ribes to individual states.
Many states still maintain local laws that either prohibit cultivation outright or restrict planting to specific rust-resistant varieties. For instance, Ohio declares the European black currant (Ribes nigrum) a public nuisance but exempts highly resistant varieties like ‘Consort’.
Before placing an order, check the specific regulations set by your state’s Department of Agriculture. Nurseries shipping plants across state lines must comply with the laws of the destination state. Purchasing only cultivars explicitly labeled as immune or highly resistant to WPBR is often the only legal path to growing black currants in states with a history of quarantine.
Primary Acquisition Sources
Buyers generally have three reliable sources for black currant plants.
Online Nurseries
Online or mail-order nurseries provide the widest selection of cultivars, including the newer, disease-resistant varieties necessary for legal compliance. These specialized vendors are often the only option for finding specific rust-immune hybrids. Shipping requires careful timing, and the buyer must confirm the nursery is legally permitted to ship the chosen variety into their state.
Local Garden Centers
Local garden centers and retail nurseries offer convenience and immediate planting, allowing the buyer to inspect the plant before purchase. Selection is usually limited to common varieties already approved for sale in the area. This source simplifies the transaction but may not offer the latest cultivars.
Specialty Growers
Specialty fruit growers and regional arborists frequently offer stock that is locally adapted and sometimes certified disease-free. These sources may require pre-ordering but often provide two-year-old plants that are already established. Purchasing from a local specialist can also provide advice on the best varieties for the local microclimate and soil conditions.
Choosing the Best Cultivar
Selecting the correct cultivar is necessary for successful long-term cultivation. The most important factor is securing a variety explicitly resistant to White Pine Blister Rust (WPBR).
Disease Resistance
Cultivars like ‘Titania’, ‘Consort’, ‘Crusader’, and ‘Blackcomb’ are examples of varieties bred specifically for WPBR resistance, making them legally viable where other types are restricted. These resistant varieties are hybrids that derive their immunity from a specific gene, making them safe to plant near vulnerable pine trees.
Climate Suitability
Buyers must match the plant’s requirements to their local climate, paying attention to required chilling hours. Black currants are hardy, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 4, but some varieties suit warmer or colder extremes. Newer cultivars like ‘Blackcomb’ and ‘Whistler’ have been bred with better tolerance for late spring frost, which can damage flowers and reduce yield.
Fruiting Characteristics
Fruiting characteristics, such as flavor profile and yield potential, distinguish cultivars. Modern varieties, including ‘Blackcomb’ and ‘Nicola’, produce larger berries and higher yields than older standards. While most black currants are self-fertile, planting two different varieties can enhance overall yield and berry size. Cultivars also vary in flavor, with some, like ‘Stikine’, bred for a milder taste profile.
Optimal Timing and Plant Format for Buying
The most effective time to acquire and plant black currants is during the dormant season, typically from late fall through early spring. This period minimizes transplant shock while the plant is not actively growing. Planting early allows the bush to establish new root growth during winter, preparing it for vigorous spring growth.
Black currants are commonly sold in two formats: bare-root and potted (container-grown) plants.
Bare-Root Plants
Bare-root plants are field-grown, dug up while dormant, and shipped with little or no soil. They are the most economical option and are available only during the dormant window. Bare-root stock is easier to ship and is the standard format for large orders.
Potted Plants
Potted plants are available year-round and suffer less transplant shock when planted outside the dormant season. These plants are more expensive but can be successfully planted even in spring or summer, provided they receive consistent watering.