Item Number: FV341
Black Consort Currant
Bold flavor, packed with potential.
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Description
Description
Black Consort currant
Black Consort (Ribes nigrum 'Consort') is a cold-hardy black currant with dark, aromatic fruit and a compact bush habit. The tart berries are useful for juice, preserves, baking, drying, sauces, and fresh tasting when fully ripe. This product is one dormant bare-root plant, not a potted shrub.
- Plant form: One dormant bare-root currant
- USDA zones: 3–8
- Chill requirement: Approximately 500–1,000 hours
- Pollination: Self-fruitful; one plant can set a crop
- Light: Full sun to partial shade, with afternoon protection useful in hot summers
- Spacing: About 4–5 feet between black currant bushes
- Harvest: Generally summer; date varies with climate and planting year
Site preparation and pruning
Plant during dormancy in soil that drains freely yet holds enough moisture for a shallow-rooted shrub. Spread the roots without bending them sharply, backfill, and water thoroughly. Mulch to moderate soil temperature, leaving a clear ring around the crown. Currants favor cool-summer conditions and may struggle during prolonged heat.
Build a shrub containing vigorous young stems along with productive older wood. During dormancy, remove damaged, weak, or congested growth and gradually replace canes that have declined. Fully colored fruit has the deepest aroma, but ripe berries are soft and should be collected into shallow containers. Harvest individual berries or complete clusters according to their maturity and intended use.
Disease-resistance and regional note
Consort is recognized for resistance to white pine blister rust, but resistance is not immunity and does not prevent every disease. Some states or counties regulate Ribes plants because the rust can affect five-needle pines. Check current local rules before ordering or planting.
This dormant plant may arrive leafless. Compare other berries and perennial edibles, and consult the currant growing guide for establishment details.
Perennial Bare Root Free Shipping
Perennial Bare Root Free Shipping
Mix and match six qualifying winter or spring perennial bare-root plants within the Perennial shipping group and receive free standard shipping.
Fall perennials, potted plants, and bare root trees are calculated separately and do not count toward the six-plant threshold.
Seasonal shipping dates vary, so please review the availability and expected shipping date shown on the individual product page.
Free standard shipping applies to qualifying FedEx or UPS deliveries within the contiguous 48 states. USPS and expedited delivery are charged separately.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Cannot ship to the following states: HI, MA, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, PR, RI, WV
Cannot ship via USPS.
Cannot ship via SmartPost.
Shipping Weight: 2.0 lb
Dimensions: 26.0"L x 2.5"W x 2.5"H
Features
Features
- Bare Root
- Long-Lived
- Self-fruitful
- Shade Tolerant
- Thornless
Characteristics
Characteristics
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Useful Information
Useful Information
Guarantee
Guarantee
Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee
* Claim deadline is June 15th
We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3 days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the tree and its roots to helpdesk@groworganic.com. We will investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the damaged product.
If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding shipping. Please see the Instructions below.
Important Dates:
- April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
- May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
- June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit
All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied, without exception. Instructions listed below
Terms and Conditions
We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease, etc.).
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant of the same species either that same growing season or in future years. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement trees and plants.
If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.
Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily plant your tree or plant in a pot.
Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus, avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree and Plant Guarantee.
Instructions
We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple steps to apply for a store credit:
Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below the graft.
Green Cambium Layer / Living Trees
If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.
Brown Cambium Layer / Dead Trees
If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required documentation listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be received by June 15th. Incomplete submissions will be denied.
Required Documentation
- Order number
- Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
- Photos of each tree or plant showing:
- The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground)
- The scratch test areas
- The entire tree/plant
We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.
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They arrived very heathy and have been doing great. I was surprised to see berry flowers starting already. I look forward to tasting the berries and hope I like them.
I love black currant since childhood. I ordered 2 bushes and they arrived in March in good condition. I planted them right away and now in May I see green berries coming out.
I love Red & White currants, have since I was lucky enough to visit to Italy as a child, and growing up around friends and family from Ireland, I knew of Black currants (from Ribena, Fruit Gums, etc.) and have loved Black Current jam & jelly since I first tried it as a kid! Black Currant jams and pies taste like black cherries cranked up to 11; just rich and delicious! When I first started trying to grow Currants in Sonoma, California (Zone 9a/8b) I wanted to try growing all three colors, and eventually got the hang of it (they generally prefer longer winters, cooler summers, and less aridness).
Once the plants started to really hit their stride while growing, I rapidly realized why I'd never seen Black Currants offered to be eaten raw... They often taste chemical-y, and the leaves when broken or crushed can give off an almost gasoline-like smell... That being said? They are still DELICIOUS when cooked!
The bare-root I got from PVFS was of a decent size, had healthy looking buds, and (when planted with attention and care) grew steadily and healthily. When first encountering the leaves' smell, I grew concerned -- DO NOT BE CONCERNED! When I first tried to eat the fruit raw, I became more concerned -- FEAR NOT!
I know a lot of the fun of growing berries is getting to eat them fresh off the plant as you wander by... these will not fit that bill. That being said? They *really* elevate a mixed-berry pie, or jam, add AMAZINGLY deep color, rich flavor, and should not be overlooked.
I planted my black currants as soon as weather permitted. Packaging was great, they arrived in good shape. They are growing well so far. Like others, cannot wait to see how they do in future. Working on ways to save the fruit for me & not the birds & squirrels!
I planted this in late winter/early spring ‘22 in a heavily shaded spot. Despite the shade and my heavy clay soil this plant is thriving. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in the coming months!
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