Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek')

Botanical name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek'

Other names

Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek'

Genus

Ribes Ribes

Variety or Cultivar

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

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Bushy

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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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 Sarek' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek') 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 Sarek' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek')

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 Sarek' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek')

Common pest name

Cherry rasp leaf (in part) (European); Gooseberry leaf distortion; Lloyd George raspberry yellow blotch disease; Pfeffinger disease of cherry; Redcurrant ringspot; Ringspot diseases of raspberry; strawberry and flowering currant; RRSV; Spoon leaf of redcurrant (Netherlands)

Scientific pest name

Raspberry 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

Pest present in the UK; risk of spread is mitigated by industry certification scheme.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek' (Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek')

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.

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/