Growing black currant
berry / bush fruit
WINTER CHILL NEEDED
~800–1600 hrs
POLLINATION
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner
Pollination
Modern 'Ben' and 'Titania' types are self-fertile; older varieties crop better with a second variety.
Growing it
Zones 3-7. Strong, musky flavour for cordial, jam and cassis. As with other Ribes, some US states restrict planting as a white-pine rust host - check locally.
Will you get enough chill?
Black Currant needs roughly 800–1600 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.