Hill’s Kiev Select Black Currant

Ribes nigrum x ‘Hill’s Kiev Select’

BLACK CURRANTS ARE PROHIBITED TO DE, ME, NC, NJ, WV, VA, MI, MA, NH, OH & RI. Rust resistant varieties may be shipped to OH & MI (with permit).

A seedling selection of the Ukrainian cultivar ‘Cheryeshnava’. A heavily productive bush with large berries of excellent flavor. It is a cross of several currant species and produces the best tasting juice and jelly. Raintree brought seeds from Kiev, then sent the seedlings to famed horticulturist and garden writer Lewis Hill in Vermont, who selected this plant as his favorite. Use another variety of Ribes nigrum as a pollinizer for best production!

Black currants have outstanding health benefits, including high Vitamin C content, up to 5 times that of oranges by weight. They have twice the potassium of bananas and twice the antioxidants of blueberries. The antioxidants, essential fatty acids and potassium in black currants have anti-inflammatory impact, reducing the effects of arthritis. Its antioxidant action has been shown to help prevent cancer. The strong flavor of Black Currants is highly prized in Europe, even fresh, but most Americans prefer them made into jam, syrup or dried as raisins. Partially self fertile plants produce best with another R. nigrum variety for cross-pollinization. Bushes will grow to 4-5’ tall. We offer well rooted 1-year bushes. USDA Zones 3-8. 

Click here to read our Currant Growing Guide