Ribes nigrum 'Ben Hope' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Hope')

Botanical name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Hope'

Other names

Blackcurrant 'Ben Hope'

Genus

Ribes Ribes

Variety or Cultivar

'Ben Hope' _ 'Ben Hope' is a blackcurrant for culinary or dessert use. Black fruit grows from insignificant pale green flowers.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Bushy

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Colour

Flower

Pale-green in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Gall midges , Gall mites

Diseases

This cultivar is resistant to powdery mildew.

General care

Propagation methods

Hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

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

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most soils but not that are too acid or alkaline. Pruning is required to produce a stooled bush. Add compost or well-rotted manure and a general fertilizer.

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 Hope' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Hope')

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 Hope' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Hope')

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.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Hope' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Hope')

Common pest name

Japanese rust of white pine; Japanese white pine rust

Scientific pest name

Cronartium kamtschaticum

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

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

1

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

3

General biosecurity comments

A species of confused taxonomy that is considered to be synomynous with the European species Cronartium ribicola; and is unlikely to cause more damage than this species if introduced. Statutory action will be taken on findings on plant material of non-European origin in line with current EU regulations.

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/