Ribes nigrum is a deciduous shrub in the Grossulariaceae family. Its native range is from Europe to Siberia and Central Asia. Familiar names include Black Currant, Squinancy, and cassis. During World War II, vitamin C was hard to come by, so the British Government asked its citizens to grow Blackcurrent for a source of Vitamin C. Soon, the crop's yield increased significantly. Children aged two and under were given blackcurrant syrup free of charge. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into jams and jellies, made into a puree, and sauces. The entire shrub is aromatic. It can grow to around 5-6 feet tall and wide with many stems. The leaves are broad with five lobes. The flowers are on a raceme containing 20 or more 3 inch long flowers. The fruits turn dark purple when ripe. It prefers to grow in full sun to part shade with average water needs. Birds, bees, and butterflies are attracted to it. Zones 3-9
Germination
Place your seeds and some soil in a ziplock bag. Moisten the mixture enough so it sticks together without water dripping out. Write the name of the seeds on the bag. Place the mixture in your refrigerator for 90 days. Seeds can then be sown 1/4" deep into a well-drained, sandy compost and covered lightly with sand or grit. Place the seed tray in filtered bright light and keep moist until germination.
