Blackcurrant Black Forest
Notify MeBlackcurrant Black Forest is a high-yielding, late-season variety known for its large, glossy black berries and rich, tangy flavour. Ideal for juicing, desserts, or preserving, it produces heavy clusters of fruit with excellent sweetness and depth. This robust cultivar also offers good resistance to mildew and leaf spot.
Perfect for kitchen, cottage, and edible gardens, it suits borders, small orchards, or mixed fruit plantings.
Performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers fertile, moisture-retentive, well-draining soil. Prune annually in winter to encourage strong fruiting wood. Space plants 1.2–1.5 metres apart for airflow and access.
Mature size reaches 1.2–1.5 metres tall and wide, forming a bushy, upright shape.
Trimming: Prune in winter when the plant is dormant. Remove older wood (3 years and older) at the base to promote fresh, productive growth. Maintain a mix of one- and two-year-old stems, as these bear the best fruit. Light summer pruning can be done to tidy growth after harvest if needed.
Deadheading: Not applicable.
Fertilising: Apply a balanced fertiliser or compost in early spring to support healthy growth. Once flowering begins, switch to a potassium-rich feed to boost fruit development.
Watering: Ensure consistent moisture during flowering and fruiting to prevent fruit drop and improve yield. Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition.
Pest Control: Monitor for aphids and big bud mite. Aphids distort new growth and can be treated with insecticidal soap. Remove and destroy buds affected by big bud mite (which appear swollen) to reduce spread.
Disease Management: Prone to powdery mildew and leaf spot, particularly in humid conditions. Encourage airflow by pruning for an open shape and avoid overhead watering. Dispose of infected foliage. Watch for signs of reversion virus (poor fruiting, altered leaf shape); affected plants should be removed.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
