Ribes hudsonianum
(also known as Hudson’s Bay currant, Stinking currant, Wild black currant, Western black currant)
zones 4-6
20 seeds
Northern Black Currant is a streamside shrub that is native to Idaho and grows all across northern North America. Being a streamside plant, it prefers wet soil. Tall, dense shrubs can reach heights up to 5 feet. The shrubs produce sprays of white flowers in spring that ripen into black fruit in late summer. The foliage is said to give off an acrid odor that is unpleasant, but I suppose that’s a matter of opinion. I find the odor of the population where I harvest to be rather pleasantly musky.
The berries are large, juicy, and quite tasty for a wild-foraged berry. They would make a delicious jam or jelly, and the berries contain enough natural pectin to set without added pectin.
Seed is best sown as soon in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 4–5 months cold stratification at 0°C and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, grow on in a cold frame for their first winter, then plant out in late spring the following year. Be sure to locate in a place where it will get plenty of moisture.
Ribes hudsonianum
(also known as Hudson’s Bay currant, Stinking currant, Wild black currant, Western black currant)
zones 4-6
20 seeds
Northern Black Currant is a streamside shrub that is native to Idaho and grows all across northern North America. Being a streamside plant, it prefers wet soil. Tall, dense shrubs can reach heights up to 5 feet. The shrubs produce sprays of white flowers in spring that ripen into black fruit in late summer. The foliage is said to give off an acrid odor that is unpleasant, but I suppose that’s a matter of opinion. I find the odor of the population where I harvest to be rather pleasantly musky.
The berries are large, juicy, and quite tasty for a wild-foraged berry. They would make a delicious jam or jelly, and the berries contain enough natural pectin to set without added pectin.
Seed is best sown as soon in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 4–5 months cold stratification at 0°C and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, grow on in a cold frame for their first winter, then plant out in late spring the following year. Be sure to locate in a place where it will get plenty of moisture.
