Black Currant Ben Connan

Black Currant ‘Ben Connan’ is a compact, high-yielding blackcurrant valued for its generous crops of dark, glossy berries and excellent garden reliability. The fruit has a rich, classic blackcurrant flavour that’s perfect for jams, jellies, juices, syrups, baking, and freezing, and it’s also a great choice for home preserving. Thanks to its manageable size, it fits well into smaller gardens, kitchen beds, and even larger containers with regular care. It’s an ideal variety for gardeners who want strong harvests without needing a lot of space.

The plant typically grows to a height of 150 cm (59 inches) and forms a sturdy, branching shrub that carries heavy clusters of blackcurrants in summer. For best results, grow it in full sun to light shade in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, and water during dry spells to support fruit swelling and quality. Mulch annually with compost or well-rotted manure to maintain soil moisture and feed the plant, and protect ripening fruit from birds if needed. Prune in winter by removing some of the oldest stems at the base to encourage strong new shoots, as blackcurrants crop best on young wood.

• Plant species: Ribes nigrum (black currant), cultivar ‘Ben Connan’
• Height: 150 cm
• Fruit size: Large (may vary with growing conditions)
• Fruit color: Deep black (with a natural gloss)
• Harvest period: Summer (typically mid-summer; varies by climate)