'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush
Blackcurrant wine? Yes, please!
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Premium Plant in a 3L Pot
60-90cm on arrival
Choose your size
Out of stock
Currently out of stock
Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush
- If you're looking for a productive blackcurrant bush, then look no further than 'Ben Alder'!
- This variety, first bred in Scotland by The James Hutton Institute (formerly the Scottish Crop Research Institute), is vigorous and well-suited to growing in British conditions (it can easily withstand temperatures well below freezing)
- The pocket-sized shiny currants boast great sweetness (with just a little earthy tartness) and are perfect for juicing and making cordials - or wine, if that's more your tipple!
- These blackcurrants will freeze well, so don't panic if you're left with more berries than you know what to do with
- Certified by the Royal Horticultural Society as one of its Plants for Pollinators
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Tasting notes
Time to first crop
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Self fertile
Uses
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, 'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant is well-suited for container growing; use a pot of at least 30 to 40 cm in diameter with a soil-based compost.
How big does it get?
The 'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush generally reaches a mature height and spread of approximately 1.5 metres.
How much sunlight does this need?
The 'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade, though yields are highest with more sunlight.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
The 'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush prefers fertile, moisture-retentive, well-draining soil, and benefits from being planted 5 cm deeper than it was in its pot.
How much watering does this plant need?
The 'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush needs about 2.5 to 5 centimetres of water per week, keeping the soil consistently moist particularly when the fruit is swelling.
Will this plant need pruning?
Yes, the 'Ben Alder' Blackcurrant Bush should be pruned in winter to remove older wood and encourage new growth for better yields.
How hardy is this plant?
The 'Ben Alder' blackcurrant is extremely hardy (RHS H6), tolerating severe winter temperatures down to -20°C. Bred in Scotland, it is exceptionally well-suited to colder, northern UK gardens and will thrive anywhere in the country without winter protection.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Fruit plants grown with love (and serious knowhow!)
Mike’s our guy when it comes to growing soft fruits. He’s our grape guru. Our gooseberry genius. Our blueberry boffin. What Mike doesn’t know about soft fruits? Well, it simply isn’t worth knowing. Having traversed the world from Australia to Northern Ireland – and even undertaking a horticultural stint in Sweden – Mike combines his enthusiasm, technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and favourable climatic conditions of the Cotswolds to grow only the very juiciest, sweetest soft fruits.
What customers say about us
We do our best to provide you the best experience ever
Learn from our experts
For growing advice that's clear and easy to follow
What customers say about us
We do our best to provide you the best experience ever
Fighting plastic waste
Delivering fresh from the nursery
Supporting UK growers