Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan'

FROM £9.99

80% (20 Reviews)

Heavy cropping

Easy to grow

Will quickly establish once planted

Delivery Information View Product Description

Choose available pack sizes:

1 x 9cm Potted Plant

£9.99

1 x 3 Litre Potted Plant

£15.49

1 Bare Root Plant

£15.99

Please note: This product cannot be delivered outside the United Kingdom.

Description How to Grow More Info Delivery Reviews

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.

Codes
1 Bare Root Plant (14254)
1 x 9cm Potted Plant (KC1058)
1 x 3 Litre Potted Plant (14167)

Blackcurrants prefer a position in full sun but will tolerate semi shade. Shelter from cold winds and late spring frosts as these conditions may damage the flowers, and reduce the yield of fruit later in the year. Grow blackcurrants in rich, moist, well drained soil. Incorporate plenty of well rotted manure into the ground prior to planting. Plant blackcurrant bushes between late autumn and spring, at a distance of 1.5m (5') apart and a depth of 5cm (2") lower than the soil mark on the stem. Planting blackcurrants slightly deep will encourage the production of extra stems from below ground level.

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.