Ribes nigrum Cassisima® Blackbells®

The 'Blackbells®' Blackcurrant bush is a recent creation, resistant to powdery mildew and leaf curl. It stands out from other blackcurrant varieties with its very long clusters of black fruits. Easy and quick to pick, the large berries, with juicy pulp, surprise with their strong blackcurrant flavour and intensely sweet taste. They can be enjoyed fresh to appreciate all the flavors, or transformed into sweet jellies or jams. They can be used to garnish pastries and enhance savoury dishes. Plant from October to March for a harvest that will begin around mid-July.

The Blackcurrant bush, known in Latin as Ribes nigrum, is sometimes commonly called the blackcurrant or black gooseberry. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like the redcurrants and gooseberries, from which it is distinguished by its black fruits. Its origins in temperate regions of Northern Europe and Asia give the blackcurrant bush a very good cold resistance. Cultivated since the 16th century, the blackcurrant bush grows spontaneously in the cool woods of Northeast Europe. Historically, it has been mainly used as a medicinal plant, with apothecaries and healers attributing powerful virtues to it.

Ribes nigrum Cassissima® 'Blackbells' ® is a recent Swiss creation from the Cassissima® range. This range consists of blackcurrant varieties selected for their high yields, juicy fruits with high sugar content, on vigorous and disease-resistant plants. It forms a bushy, non-thorny shrub with a clump-like habit of slightly stiff, sparsely branched twigs, with soft wood and abundant pith. This very hardy bush reaches a height of 1.30m (4ft) with a spread of 1m (3ft). The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, medium green leaves. It is particularly aromatic and pleasantly fragrant when crushed. Leaves, fruits, and buds are intensely fragrant due to the presence of glands containing essential oils used in perfumery. This variety of blackcurrant blooms in April, in the form of clusters of small greenish to brownish flowers, quite insignificant but intensely visited by bees. The fruiting mainly develops on 2- and 3-year-old twigs and is rarer on older ones. Moderately late, it produces very long clusters of 10 to 15 black berries, large in size, about 1cm (0.3in) in diameter, with fleshy and juicy pulp, very sweet, with sweet and pleasant flavors, marked by a slight hint of acidity. When ripe, the berries are black, round, and filled with juicy flesh, containing very few tiny seeds.

The 'Blackbells' blackcurrant bush is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. The harvest is staggered as the fruits ripen, and is simplified by the size of the berries. A blackcurrant bush can produce about 3 to 5kg of fruit per plant depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant.

All blackcurrant varieties are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, and trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them real assets for health. Furthermore, they are among the least energy-rich small fruits (50 kcal per 100g). When enjoyed fresh, they are rich in nutrients. They can also be used to prepare jellies, jams, pies, cakes, sorbets, ice creams, and milkshakes. They are perfect for accompanying fruit salads and red meats, or as a touch in mixed salads. They can also be transformed into juice or syrup, and into liqueur to flavour Kir, cocktails, and Sangria.

Forming a wide, upright shrub with a fairly compact growth habit and healthy foliage, the 'Blackbells' blackcurrant bush is easy to integrate into a productive garden. In addition to fruiting, the beautiful dark green deciduous leaves and the colorful winter wood give this fruit tree appreciable ornamental qualities throughout the year. Very hardy (down to -25°C (-13°F)), it prefers a sunny but not scorching exposure, or partial shade. It is easy to grow and maintain in well-drained, fresh soil, but not constantly wet.

In summer, the blackcurrant bush adds a decorative touch to your garden with its clusters of black berries. You can associate it with redcurrants, raspberries, or other small fruit varieties to form a delicious hedge. In a blackcurrant plantation, as in any plantation, it is important to alternate species and varieties where possible. This promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile, and reduces the risk of diseases. It can be grown in a pot, but you should choose a container at least 40cm (16in) tall and water regularly with non-calcareous water.