Jostaberry ConfiBerry Jogusto

The Confi®Berry Jogusto® blackcurrant bush is a recent variety selected for its large berries resembling blackcurrants, with black skin and a texture similar to a gooseberry. They are harvested in early August. It has a generous yield. Its fruits are perfect for making jam, jellies, sorbets, or pies. A little taller (1.80 m (6ft)) than the other varieties in the Confi®Berry range, this Jogusto blackcurrant bush will find its place in the orchard or in a fruit hedge. Plant it in sunny, deep soil that remains moist.

From the Grossulariaceae family, Ribes x nidigrolaria is the result of cross-breeding between a blackcurrant and a closely related species of gooseberry. 'Jogusto' is a recent variety from the Confi®Berry range, selected for its generous yield and large fruits. It is a thornless bush with arching branches, reaching a height of 1.80m (6ft). It is the tallest in the range. Its three-lobed leaves are slightly toothed, green, and deciduous, absent in winter. In April, clusters of small red flowers appear, followed by large berries resembling blackcurrants, reaching a diameter of 1.8cm (1in) .

Self-fertile, the 'Jogusto' blackcurrant bush bears abundant fruit on its own. Its fruits are ripe in early August, and are preferably used for processing into jam or jelly. They can also be used in pies or compote. Generally, the fruits do not all ripen at the same time. It is necessary to wait until the red fruits turn black to ensure they are fully ripe. You can either harvest them as they ripen and freeze them to cook all at once, or wait until two-thirds are ripe and harvest them all. Less ripe fruits are richer in pectin, which helps with the setting of your jellies and jams.

The Jogusto blackcurrant bush is ideal for creating a fruiting country hedge. Pair it with 'Smokey' serviceberry bushes with their blue-tinged berries and male cornel dogwoods with their red, edible fruits.

It will also find its place in the orchard with white-fruited gooseberries 'Versaillaise Blanche' and redcurrants 'Junifer'.