Blackcurrant Perles d'Auvergne - Georges Delbard

The Perles d'Auvergne® Blackcurrant Bush 'delcaresnoi’ is a brand new variety selected for its high disease resistance. It will appeal to blackcurrant lovers, as its fruit is very rich in aroma. This early variety is self-fertile. Blackcurrants have a high concentration of vitamin C, but they are appreciated more cooked than when eaten raw. They are the perfect ingredient for tasty recipes. Planting is preferably done in autumn, or in spring with regular watering. 

The Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) Bush belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like Gooseberries. It is a deciduous shrub native to regions ranging from the Pyrenees to Central Asia. Cultivated since the 16th century, the Blackcurrant Bush grows spontaneously in the cool woods of northeastern Europe. The Blackcurrant Bush forms a vigorous bush, with an upright habit and few branches, reaching a height of 1.2 metres (4 feet) with a spread of 80 cm (32in). The plant reaches its adult size in three years. It is a very hardy bush, resistant down to -20°C (-4°F) but sensitive to drought in summer. The leaves, deciduous, are large, flat, with three to five lobes and toothed edges, bright green and pleasantly fragrant when crushed. Leaves, fruits, and buds are intensely fragrant, due to the presence of glands containing essential oils, used in perfumery. The bark is smooth and reddish on young branches and darkens with age. Fruits appear on 2-year-old branches and become less common on 4-year-old and older branches. Harvesting is done when the fruits are fully black and start falling on the ground. Wait for the fruits to fully ripen before harvesting.

The Perles d'Auvergne® variety is a brand new selection from the Georges Delbard nursery. The fruits are large black berries arranged in clusters. Blackcurrants are rich in tannins and vitamins C and C2. This variety has a particularly strong taste, and it will be delicious in juice, syrup, jams or jellies, and pastries. It is also used in the production of liqueurs and nectars. Blackcurrants can be well preserved when dried or frozen, providing a supply of fruit for the winter.

While Perles d'Auvergne® is a self-fertile variety and resistant to mildew, the productivity of the bush can be increased by planting another variety nearby. Alternating varieties and species, when space allows, is a good way to promote pollination and reduce the risk of diseases. In the garden, create a small edible hedge by mixing Blackcurrant Bushes, Gooseberries, and Raspberry bushes, for example, or plant the Blackcurrant Bush within a flowering shrub border.