Consort Currant
Consort Currant
A Hardy, Rust-Resistant Black Currant Loaded with Berries
Consort Black Currant (Ribes nigrum 'Consort') is a tough, productive fruiting shrub that hangs heavy with clusters of tart, aromatic black berries — perfect for jam, juice, syrup, and baking. It's self-fertile, cold-hardy, and importantly resistant to white pine blister rust, the disease that historically restricted currant planting. It even fruits in part shade. Whether you're starting an edible hedge in Edina, filling a part-shade corner in Maple Grove, or adding a low-care fruit shrub in Woodbury — Consort is a dependable producer for zone 4b–5a (and colder) gardens.
Consort Currant Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ribes nigrum 'Consort' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting shrub (black currant) |
| Mature Height | 4–5 feet |
| Mature Width | 4–5 feet |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade — fruits even in partial shade |
| Water | Moderate — 1 inch per week; keep evenly moist for best fruit |
| USDA Zones | 3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Adaptable, prefers rich, well-draining soil; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam amended with compost |
| Pollination | Self-fertile — a single plant will fruit |
| Disease Resistance | Resistant to white pine blister rust — a key trait for Minnesota plantings |
| Harvest | Mid-summer; tart berries for jam, juice, syrup, and baking |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 3 |
Consort Currant Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Edible hedge
Plant a row 4–5 feet apart for a productive, informal edible hedge along a property line in Plymouth.
Part-shade fruit
One of the few fruiting shrubs that produces in part shade, Consort is ideal for a north-facing or lightly shaded bed in Eden Prairie where blueberries or raspberries would struggle.
Jam and juice garden
Black currants are richly aromatic and high in vitamin C — a must for home preservers making jam, juice, and cordials.
Best Time to Plant Consort Currant in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–September) are both excellent. Avoid summer heat, and never plant after mid-October — frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Consort Currant
- Dig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container (or set bare-root plants slightly deeper to encourage new canes).
- Backfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; firm gently and water in well.
- Space plants 4–5 feet apart for a hedge.
- Build a shallow water basin the first season, then flatten it before winter.
- Mulch 3–4 inches with shredded bark or straw to keep roots cool and moist, kept off the stems.
- Prune in late winter, removing oldest canes (3+ years) to keep the bush vigorous; currants fruit best on 1–3 year old wood.
Watering Consort Currant in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 4–5 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly; keep evenly moist for good fruit set
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water during dry spells, especially while berries are sizing up. Currants have shallow roots and appreciate steady moisture and a cool, mulched root zone.
Is it legal to plant currants in Minnesota?
Rust-resistant black currants like Consort are the right choice here — Consort is immune to white pine blister rust, the disease behind historic currant restrictions. Always choose resistant varieties near white pines.
Do I need two plants for fruit?
No — Consort is self-fertile and will fruit on its own, though more plants mean a bigger harvest.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy to zone 3, well below Twin Cities lows. No special protection needed once established.
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- American Hazelnut — a hardy native nut shrub for edible hedges
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- Jersey Knight Asparagus — a perennial vegetable for the food garden