Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan')

Botanical name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan'

Other names

Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan'

Genus

Ribes Ribes

Variety or Cultivar

'Ben Connan' _ 'Ben Connan' is a compact, deciduous shrub grown for culinary or dessert use. Heavy crops of black fruit form from insignificant flowers in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Bushy, Compact

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

This cultivar is resistant to leaf-curling midge.

Specific pests

Aphids , Gall mites

Diseases

This cultivar is resistant to powdery mildew.

General care

Pruning

Pruning is required to produce a stooled bush.

Propagation methods

Hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most soils but not that are too acid or alkaline. Add compost or well-rotted manure and a general fertilizer. Frost tolerant.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan')

Common pest name

Japanese fruit scale; Mulberry scale; White peach scale

Scientific pest name

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Scale insect which in favourable conditions may kill trees. There have been a number of findings in the UK but some uncertainty about whether the pest is established. Stakeholder organisations may wish to monitory for its presence.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan')

Common pest name

Latent ringspot of strawberry

Scientific pest name

Strawberry latent ringspot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Present in the UK; risk of spread is effectively mitigated by current regulation and industry certification scheme. To be considered as part of EFSA Annex IIAII review.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Connan')

Common pest name

Black ring of tomato; Bouquet of potato; Pseudo-aucuba of potato; Ringspot of bean; Ringspot of beet; Ringspot of lettuce; Yellow vein of celery

Scientific pest name

Tomato black ring virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Vector present in the UK and the pest is present with a limited distribution. Current mitigations are effective at reducing the risk of spread.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/