European Black Currant
Ribes nigrum
- Native to:
- Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Sweden, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Grossulariaceae
- Genus:
- Ribes
- Species:
- Ribes nigrum
- USDA Symbol:
- RINI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Itame ribearia, Opostegoides scioterma, Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Scallop moth (Cepphis armataria), Yellow-shouldered Slug Moth (Lithacodes fasciola)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, moisture-retentive loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers cool, damp conditions; avoid waterlogged soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification; light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI