Crandall Black Currant
Ribes odoratum 'Crandall'
BLACK CURRANTS ARE PROHIBITED TO DE, ME, NC, NJ, WV, VA, MI, MA, OH & RI. Rust resistant varieties may be shipped with permit to OH, NH & MI.
Commonly called the "clove currant" due to the lovely scent of its vivid yellow spring flowers. The Ribes odoratum group are the most ornamental and the sweetest in flavor of all the black currants. It has deliciously clove-scented, yellow flowers early in Spring on a spreading 4-5' bush. It makes a beautiful edible hedge when planted in a row, as the gooseberry-shaped leaves turn brilliant red and yellow in the late summer and fall. The fruit is large for a currant and round; it's also borne singly and not in clusters. It has a nice sweet flavor without the dusky black currant aftertaste. It makes a milder jam, syrup or raisin than other black currants. The plant is not considered rust resistant, but is considered easy to grow in areas without warm and humid summers. Choose another Ribes odoratum variety, like Missouri Giant, as a pollination partner to increase the yield from both varieties!
Black currants have outstanding health benefits, including high Vitamin C content, up to 5 times that of oranges by weight. They have twice the potassium of bananas and twice the antioxidants of blueberries. The antioxidants, essential fatty acids and potassium in black currants have anti-inflammatory impact, reducing the effects of arthritis. Its antioxidant action has been shown to help prevent cancer. The strong flavor of Black Currants is highly prized in Europe, even fresh, but most Americans prefer them made into jam, syrup or dried as raisins. Partially self fertile plants produce best with another variety in the same species for cross-pollinization. Bushes will grow to 4-5’ tall. We offer well rooted 1-year bushes. Hardy to USDA Zones 3.
